Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-02
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, APRIL 81, 1872.
Curious People.

Curious People.
When Byron wrote the line II loathe
that low vice, curiosity he inveighed
against sin of lamentably general ex-
tent; there being but few who are
wholly free from its faint, while there
are thousands of otherwise rather esti-
mable persons who carry to so great an
extent their penchant for turning inside
out, to their own gloating scrutiny, the
affairs Of others-thoughts, feelings,
acts-as to render themselves obnoxious
to large majority of all with whom
they come in contact. These persons
strive to possess themselves of this
species of entertaining knowledge, !"
not from any praiseworthy feeling of
regard-their inquiries are not dictated
by heartfelt concern for the individual
toward whom they are directed-seek-
ing, it might be, to learn the path
through which sympathy may be sent
upon its angel errand to a troubled
heart or mind. Not this nor any of the
thousand other commendable motives
which must oftener or more seldom
prompt inquiries that are not only ex-
cusable, but laudable.
For what purpose, then, and from
what motive Is this practice so pertin-
aciously followed up by the individuals
in question? Why are we called to suf-
fer this inquisition if no good is to result
from it? Perhaps it were tedious to
lay bare the various moving springs-to
define the various objects whose accom-
plishment may be aimed at-but to say
it briefly; in many cases, certainly, the
motive is an innate and cherished love
of mischief and the purpose its cOnsum-
nation. But often no design whatever
is to be carried out, other than that of
gratifying a selfish and morbid desire to
learn things supposed to be secret.
What potency-the shock of the gal
vanic battery felt along the nerves-has
that magic word to arouse the sleeping
energies-if so be they ever sleep-of
your curiosity possessed subject. Ay!
nom, indeed, must your concerns be
fully comprehended-tha understand
ing must be obtained at whatever sacri-
flee of decorum; strong term, perhaps,
but pertinent; for this perniciOus prac-
tice is wholly incompatible with good
breeding, and neutralizes the action of
all its beneficient Offices annulling pol
iteness, and even making common civil
ity, thing to be prayed for, where we
had reason to look for manifestations of
courtesy. Often have we seen persons
not seldom young and timid girls, of
artless and confding minds--imposed
upon by those Paul Prys, male and fe-
male, until we have felt like rising up
in our Indignation and denOunCing the
shameful proceeding as unworthy the
heart and mind of any man or woman.
The m0dus Operandj of these inquisitors
is varied to suit the eXigencies of differ
ent cases, but the practice isnevcr there
by Invested of any of its reprehensible-
ness it is always the same in character
and effect, whether it manifests itself
in that bold, direct, open and unblush-
ing demand which often confOunds one
by its cool impudencc, and obtains its
answer ere the questioned party has had
time to recover his self-possession; or
in that small sort of flnesSe which. be-
ing far below the recognition of elevated
and unsuspicious minds, attains the Gov
eted object through that wilyness-at
the same time creating for itself in the
mind, it has abused a sense of mingled
shame and pity. As before stated, this
matter is not pursued invariably for the
mischievious purpose of repetition but
frequently that the precious information
may be treasured up, much as the miser
boards his gold, the glitter Of which
lights no eye save his, and whose clink
falls upon ears deaf to every other
sound. This is the aspect of the Glow
vice" in its perhaps least humble harm
ful form of existence. Certainly bad
enough in this view, but infinitely worse
when it takes that tone
(which gives the tale of scandal to the
street
The Kitchens wonder and he parlor's
treat"