Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-24
SOCIAL DECEIT.

SOCIAL DECEIT.
Welcome to me my friend most dear,
G wonder what the devil brought you here.")
author was; he knew human nature evidently,
aud in his bitter sarcasm against it, gave us
none more truthful than this.
Why the existence OF social Intercourse
should depend. as some say it does, upon the
practice of deceit toward each other 10 the
members of it, Tcannot see; If we seek only
that which is pleasant and congenial to our
selves, and leave alone that which is the re-
verse, we would assuredy enjoy what We had
with more zest, than if we mingled with those
for whom we entertained a feeling of dislike,
or even indifference.
Very few are sensible enough to choose their
own associates, from no other motive than con.
genaity OF disposition and intellect, regardless
of other reasons. Wealth, social position.
etc., influence the great mass OF people in their
choice, and they will bear with serene equa-
pimity, many wearisome hours passed In the
company of those whom they would vote tire
some bores impossible to endure. had they not
money or its equivalent.
Mark Twain in his ''Innocents Abroad"
gives US q cut at female deceit as practiced TO-
ward others in society. Women are deceitful
in their conduct toward other women saying
dear" and darling" to each other, when, if
they we're in q palace OF truth, the words
ridiculous foor' or "tiresome creature would
often come tumbpg from their mouths in.
stead, and giving kiss where they would
rather give scratch.
Women are decei,tul to women, and no
mistak they will pick over their dearest wo-
men friends, and not only see their little de-
fects and toibles themselves, but take care
that some one else sees them too but rather
think the men could shake hands with women
any day on this point, that they are little
Inclined to the same. Instead of saying II
don't like that man, don't think him all on
the square ;" even to his face if necessary,
and then avoiding his company, few of them
at least, will say it, and worse about him be-
hind his back, and then 90 and take drink
with him the next time they meet, or perhaps
90 to him, and asking him some favor, tell
him be is the only friend they have leit they
can depend upon. -,
Now all this might be avoided were people
sufficiently independent to be only guided by
copgenislity in their choice of friends, treating
with politeness those whom they meet who
we're not kindred Spirits and yet seeking none
ss associates who were not 30 in the full sense
of the word.-Ne,s Orleans Delta.
THE GREAT SOUTH AMERICAN CATARACT
Mr.. Richard Brown writes to the London
Times some facts concerning the recently dS
covered waterfall on the Potaro river. British
Guinea, which is over seven hundred feet 10
height. The examination of it was made 10
April last by Mr.. Brown, in COMPANY, WITH Or
q. Young, MIR. Charles Mitchell and MIR. Ming
The description says:
The Fall has clear descent, according 10
barometical observations taken simultaneously
by Mr.. Brown at the bottom, and by my col
league, Mr. Mitchell, at the top, of seven hun
dred and fifty feet. Above the Potaro elldes
smoothly in slight depression OF tho table OF
conglomerate sandstone and disappears over
the edge in body which We estimated at egh
ty yards in width, and of depth uncertain In
the centre, but Swallowing rapidly toward
either bank. When MIR. Brown discovered the
Fall in April the rocky channel was completely
covered, and the stream must have had width
of at least one hundred yards. At present 1t
is diminishing in volume, and, as tho Indians
assured us, will continue to do so till October,
when only the central and deeper portion,
about one third of the whole, will remain. Ihe
best time. therefore. for visit is IN spring, at
the end of what appears to be the rainy season
of this elevated tract.
Aswe saw the Fall cannot imagine any
thing more beautiful. The central portion,
which is never dry, forms small horseshoe
re-enteriny angle, and the water IN this part
preserves its consistency for short distance
from the ledge. But everywhere else, and here
also, at few feet from the top, all semblance
OF water disappears it breaks up, or blossoms
into fine foam or spray. which desends 10 TIE
we'll known rocket like forms OF the Staubbach
and similar water falls, but multiplied thou.
sand times, into small dark pool, over semi
circular curtain of precipice deeply followed by
the action of the spray. The cavern behind
the Fall is the home Of thousands OF swallows.
which issue from it in the morning., and are
seen returning in their mutitudes at nlght.
The Fall itself is one vast descending column
of q fine drylooking, snow white substance,
bearing resemblance, in color and conslsten
cv. to the snow of an avalanche, but surpass
ine all avaanches have seen in size. and IN
the beauty of the forms taken by the material
of the Fall. RainboWs OF great splendor were
observed from the front of the Fall 10 the
morning, one from the summit IN the alter,
noon but this last reverted, tormlpg coloreo
loop or ring, into which the whole mass seem
ed to precpitate itself and disappear ana cart
out underneath, black and feamlng' st the
gorge and outlet Of the pool.
A SoCKDoLAaER. certain political
speaker was addressing large audience 10
Virginia. and dissenting vehemently against
prescription of foreigners when his eye fell up
on little German, peddler Of ready made
clothing, who seemed to DO very much I'M
pressed with the argument of the orator,
ereedlly swallowing everything he uttered
This was too good an opportunity not to make
the best OF, and looking the pedder full in the
eve, he exclaimed:
to escape from the tyrannical, down trodden
onnressad of EuIOpo Didn't Won hne to