The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-01-30
k - - For the Telegrap
e. goeial Gatherings


Social gatherings, commonly called SPAR
ties, }" are not only highly pleasurable, but
often profitable in the improvement of man.
ners and tastes. l am no advocate of caste in
society, but certain degree of equality in
intellect, among the members of a social cir
Gle, is essential to its being enjoyable. Inc
Qualities In literary requirements and taste.
always render part of the company misera-
bic. Let me illustrate by little harmless
participating
Not many weeks since, I accepted an invita-
ton TO an evening party at the residence OF
Mr.. -. Measured by the standard of
true respectability, all were near enough on
an equality In that respect measured by the
scale OF educational mind, the members of the
gathering were painfully wide apart On the
sofa sat Miss A, rather over-dressed, hand
soIne-featured, except sort of forced smile
Mr.. b, who sat near her, discoursed about
Dickens, and accidentally asked her how she
hked the new Diamond Edition. She
blushed, looked confused; she had heard of
the name Dickens before, but did not real
ly know whether he was preacher, school
master or doctor Here, of course, was an
accident the lady had been hurt, though un.
intentionally.
On chair near picture table, sat young
man with his cravat tied chokingly tight
around his neck, and boots shiningly BACKED.
Mrs. C,-who is an intensified admirer of
Shakespeare-asked him how he liked the
play of Hamlet. The young man was bewii-
dered he was in a quandary, whether she
meant play at cards, or some other like play
The play of Hamlet, to his mind, was Greek
Here, then, was another accident, arising from
the inequalities of education Mr. d. who
was one OF the triangle, and evidently of the
ike mental calibre as the aforesaid discom-
posed young man, put on look of wisdom
and indifferency, took from his vest pocket
his gooSe-quill tooth-pick, and began picking
his teeth He was evidently Drawing himself
against any interrogatories about Hamlet,
Tor that would have been like striking him
with dart.-And here let me say by way of
corollary, that of all the disgusting practices,
either male or female was ever guilty of, none
are so offensive as picking ones teeth in com
pany. 1t is vulgarsm of the most execra-
BILE sert
When Mr. z. speaks the buzz of conversa-
ton subsidies, and the group listen He rallied
Mr.. on his literary criticisms Here followed
an alienation of repartees between E and +,
some of which were in the highest style of
conversational skill In this case nobody
was hurt, because of the equalities of mental
discipline. Mrs takes seat at the piano,
gives the keys few thumps, twists around
on her piano stool, makes forced attempt
to say something witty by way of prelude,
and then laughs so immoderately loud as to
culminate in shrek then she subsidies and
applies herself to the instrument. Now.
what's the use? Though she should play
with the combined skill of a thousand italian
music professors, who would be appreciative
after such a coarse display oflaughter? Next
Miss accepts the invitation to take her
place at the piano No extravaganza of man
ner, no effort at facetiousness-she sits down
quietly to the instrument. She does not play
with the artistic skill of the one who preceded
her, but her graceful modesty more than com
pensates for her lack of musical training.
The inequalities between these persons, were
more in manners and department, than intel
lectual attainments.
1t may perhaps be said, that personate too
| pointedly in this article. This is not my in
tention. have taken the alphabet in rota-
ton, so no one need study, supposing have
! given the initials Of names. Hereafter 1 may
have something further to say, to render ex-
plicit the subject l have advanced. 1 will
say furthermore, to prevent misunderstood
ing, that think society in this city is as cul-
tivated and refined as in any other western
city, in proportion to it's mum Der of inhabit.
ants. CALPHURNfA.