The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1866-11-22

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A SKETCH OF SOCIAL LlFH IN OHIO.
Hs,v sA.y pSss tie OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
T. dents, &c.
! The following letter frcm friend
will, We are confident, be pcrus"d by
our readers with pleasure. JOUR-
NAL.
MARIETTA, OHIO, Oct. Path, lS63a
DEAR W.-Aceordiug to promise1
propose to write you something OF So
eial life in Marietta, hoping that it will
prove interesting to tho young persons
and social people of St. Cloud, as CON-
ing from one who has enjoyed the hos:
pitaIity and pleasant agreeable society society
Of our active little city, and who Ell. still
indulges in bright "reminiscences OF kind
friends and generous hearts With which
he was brought in social contact ,na
The society Of Marietta has slways
had a deservedly high reputation. The
moral and religious character Of its in.
habitants is high, and q stranger can
bear witness to the hospitality and
frank cordially so characteristic of the
West and here combined with eastern
refinement and cultivation The social
atmosphere has a dec,ded freshness and
purity, and an absence Of cant and n.y.
pocri*y which is the bane Of many pla-
ces Of i.s size. The size Of the place
prevents gossips aud meddlers from
yaining ground US IN smaller towns,
and for the same reason that. inditfer-
ence and exclusiveness toward those not
Of one church or neiyhborhood which
is noticeable in cities aud many smaller
places seems comparatively unknown
here. They seem to have the happy
inca" between city and country life aud
enjoy the advantages Of each. While
the different church denominations
work each for its own growth aud pros
perity,, they take an interest in each
others welfare, and it is MT uncommon
here to see family, portion members
IF one church and some of another,
with the best possible understanding
and true christian spirit. While the
churches have circles for their own ben
eft there are also soirees and sociables
fer the miuglius and profit Of all.
And now let me in a familiar way
undertake to give you brief account
Of the ways aud means used BY society
here to bring together the social ele.
ments in such manner as to rebound to
the benefit Of each one and all who are
so fortunate as to be within the many
circles, or hav, the cntree tp them. In:
stead Of a profusion Of large parties,
soirees, circles and gatherings Of like
character, the particular hubby seems
to be "Clubs." Clubs meet almost ev.
cry evening in the week, and in thi'
continual round of social gathering
there is little at which any one would
take offeose, for the most polished man
ners and conversation prevail. Do you
wish to make an engagement with {
friend He is going to the club. Il
you call on youu= lady, she has gou.
to club. Everybody talks Of clubs
you ave clubbed in houses, on The
streets IN short, everybody is clut
tongued and club headed.
The FIRST of which I shall inform yot
is the "Musical Club" which has beet
in existence q number Of seasons ane
is accomplishing 4 good work in keep
ing up musical interest among those
who, growing out Of the enthusiasm o
youth, neglect the cultivation Of thei
powers, aud lose sight of the musica
world and its progress; and inspires
the younger class to do we'll before
their superiors in the art they love 81
we'll. Their musical talent is also dis
''layed, and they require new powe
from the observation of others rs vel
as by their own effort. These votarie
Of Apollo meet once fortnight at tn
houses of the members. Each membe
is required to render new piece ono
in six weeks, or three meetings, tn
penalty being losa Of membership
Those who have prepared themselves
hand the names of their selections t
the hostess on entering the room, who
acting az President for the meeting, az
"ounces each piece and the performe
before it is given. Ut course this clu
IS not subject to the annoyances pecu
liar to many parties where. 1.-The musics
ones have to be eoaxed, cajoled an
aattered into performing their littl
pieces, even though they violently pre-
test they have ''such cold" and "r<
ally can't sing without their notes." ct,
And my boy, kaowing your failing,
would advise yon, should you have tn
honor of an invit: ton t. one of the
meetings, not to neglect your suppe
before going, under the misapprehe'
; sion thst you will be entertained Wit
I some of the substantials as we'll as I'll