Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-22

In great city there is little exhibition |
of that neighborly friendship and intimacy |
50 observable in small towns A new ar
rival in the midst of a village circle at
once becomes the topic for all gossip snd
minute analysis Of the qualities of the
stranger Is the special prerogative of the
rural Grundies. If well-mannered and
sociable, he speedily assumes the position
of recognized neighbor and friend. In
cities the case Is quite different You may
live in No. 800 for a decade of years in ut
ter ignorance concerning the inmates of
No. 3O2, from whom you are separated by
two-ineh wall.
You may be il mental darkness as to the
style of furniture prevalent in No. 29s, un-
til, on some spring morning, you see it lift
ed into furniture cars, and 29s relapses in
to dust and stiffness for fortnight. The
swift current of an unlordable river could
draw no more certain line of division be-
tween YOU and the opposite neighbors than
is afforded by the painfully symmetrical
cobble-stones. The very brick walls frown
on all appr Jsches, and solemnly rebuke at
tempts at the cultivation of their Enclosures.
SO yeu are compelled to withdraw into
you own shell, with the consolatory privi'
lege Of making observations taken from
interstices in your parlor curtains, from
between skilfully arranged blinds, at odd
hours of the day and night.
A practical female can commonly give
shrewd guess at the composition of the
dinners of all her nearest neighbors. The
| inner life of back buildings, with all its
delicate IninHtiae is laid open to view and
criticism. The whole vicinage is warmed
into exposure Of its mdiVidualities by the
early bresth of spring PFovokipgly inn
! lpenetrable shutters are thrown open, af-
| fording occasional gliIapses of the myste-
riOus TUUuI which has awakened so much
curiosity during the long winter days.
The invalid, whose pale face you have
seen now and then at the opposite window,
goes out into the sunshine, and you detect
a slight flush on her wasted cheek as it
feels the kisses of the soft and playful
breeze. As the days grow very long and
very hot, the claims Of your neighbors for
attention become more restless and urgent.
The music teacher across the way COM
bines with the mosquitoes and the sluggish
atmosphere to make your nights utterly
restless and miserable. The families of
small children, which you have observed
/ clustering around the front door during
the afternoon and twilight hours are stimuli
taneously oppressed, and unable to go to
sleep, and their concerted vocal efforts are
distracting to the last degree. q r-.-r
The hot air has soured the temper of the
big dog in the next yard, and he indulges
in an unceasing series of excited and
thrilling responses to imaginary barlls OF
defiance from CANNES in distant quarters
Of the city, or in the moon, He solilo-
auizes in low groans and growls, and you
hear him scratching up flowers and up
setting tubs, till a distorted sleep come.
upon you.
There are certain creatures who make i
point to investigate the secrets of theii
neighbor's lives, characters fortunes and
pedigrees. The nearest grocer or apothe.
cary is inveigled into furnishing scraps Of
information; no stone is left unturneI
which might, by chance let in ray o.
light on their antecedents and future pros
poets. The stock of intelligence is retaileC
in whispers and suggestions to othel
neighbors. Occasionally an effort Al
friendliness and cultivation is essayed, {
spasmodic and abrupt call is made, or {
card left, and the neighbors draw bacl
into mods and personal observations anC
mutual criticisms.-Phila. Telegraph.