Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-06-25
CHAPTER VII.

No CITY in the whole world-and we say it with
due consideration-has more OF true and genuine
hospitality than the good old city of Charleston.
The stranger from abroad may take exception to
our general statement for its citizens are not given
to lonizng. The titled stranger, or the mere ce-
lebrity, may tarry there for weeks undlsturbed by
obtrusive civilities, or the gaze OF curious eyes.
There are no sycophantic crowds to feast to flat
ter. and to fawn upon him. He is treated by all,
with whom he comes in contact, with respectful
ciyilty But however high his rank, this willnot,
alone, as in many other cities, give him passport
to the inner circles and iresdes of its substantial
citizens The standard of morality is too high,
and the serespect of its citizens too thorough, to
permit any familiar intercourse with one of uncer-
tain character or morals, whatever distinction he
may, elsewhere, have enjoyed. The causes are
obvious. In no city of the world Is female purity
of character more highly regarded, or does want
of modesty and decorum meet with censure and
rebake, so inhexibe and stern.
In most cases. a city-owing to the influence OF
its superior wealth and ntelligence-gives tone and
character to the surrounding country, rejecting
upon it. its character and its vices but, in this
case the surrounding country, occupied by wealthy
and independent planters forming community
which is unit in interest and sentiment, has given
tone and character to the city, and impressed upon
it the social virtues which spring up around the
freside of the webred and intelligent planter.
For this reason hospitality, genuine selt-respect,
purity Of female character, and well-brcd polite
ness, free from afectation and ridiculous tormall-
In, M hpr
cities of this country, the manners and customs
that prevail are copied from ill-bred, vulgar and
illiteratc people, whose sudden rise, from obscure
poverty to wealth, has alone made them the lead
ers of fashion. In vain, under such circumStan-
ces, can we expect that easy and graceful proprle
tv of manners that springs up, like second ma
ture in those long established families, where gen
Grafton after generation has been reared under
the genial influences of refinement and virtue.
We are about to introduce our readers into one
of the homes of the city. Yet, let us remember
it is home in city, around which close block
ade has been drawn for three long and eyenttu
Years. Let us remember that the smoke OF the
enemy's guns can be seen from its windows, anu
that their solemn roar is hourly heard IN It's cham
bers. and that powerful fleet, lying just beyond
the bar, stands waiting its chance ready to dashn
at the first favorable moment, and rain their TEN
pest of shot and shells on the home once so Sc
cure and happy
It is an elegant and we'll furnished parlor int
which we are about to enter. Curtains OF vlole
and gold drawn back from the windows, admit th'
light of the pleasant day, and half raised sash
looking out upon the waters of the bay, suffers TIM
balmy breath of early spring, laden with the per
fume of her carly flowers to float softly ln Ih
light from an open window falls upon carpet
a dark pattern, on which the foot falls unheard
and the mellow light streams even to the rcl
dark mahogany table that stands IN the middle 0
the floor bearing score of richly bound book
and few choice engravngs, copies after the Oh
masters. On the carved mante- -board-tor 1t /
an old mansion-stood French clock, under 1t
glass case, presenting the gilded figure OF Venus
reclining and canopicd under sea-shell whit
Cupid. living upon boulders of bronze god-creste'
rocks at her left hand, peered deftly under tn
canopy, at the reclining Goddess, and with up
lifted hammer struck the passing hours on I'll
golden she'll The pendulum weight, gllded sea
urchin, depending, in appearance, from the fore
finger and thumb of the Goddess, seemed to-
with which she was playing, as partly sitting ant
partly reclining upon the shore, she watched tn
molten tidc-rolling up here and there shell
n sea weed-brcak at her feet A few rich pearl
shells of spiral form-treasures snatched from tn
Indian seas-and couple of cabinet pictures
representing the scenes of the crucihxlon, lay Of
other side of the clock. On the walls were tw
oil-paintiugS, simple in their design and subject
but most tastefuly executed The furniture G
the apartment was all Of an unostentatious an
simple character harmonizlng well Throughout
The softly cushioned lounges, easy chairs, and tn
open piano, with two or three bound volumes
music and several loose sheets of late and poprl'
music, carefully disposed, all told of wealth.
taste and refinement.
On the morning in question, the apartment vi
not unoccupicd Two fair beings, of whom "
have before caught GLIMPSE sat there Inc
are the same whom Victor had been so tortunal
as to aid on the previous day. The elder was st,
haou,;f,,l although past the bloom OF youtht