Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-04-26
A Defense OF Society.

SOCIETY is an organization for enter
tainment. 1t resembles vast picnic.
Thereto each guest brings whatever he or
she has to offer for the entertainment OF
the whole. The amateur singer brings
vocal and artistic delight. The dancing
young man offers his leadership of the
German. The young girl debutantes con
tribute the charm of theiry youthful graces
The wit and 6l esprit devote the sparkle
OF their conversation, the keenncss OF
their intellect. And wealth and hospital
iiy contribute gay balls and sumptuous
dinners, the dazzle OF diamonds and the
luster of gorgeous dresses. Therefore,
like all organizations, society has no
place or room for individual feeling. A
| lady with a visiting list numbering a
| thousand names can scarcely expect to be
loved devOtedly by all that thousand. She
does not herself take them all to her heart
OF hearts. The phrase dear five hun
dred friends is Il misnomer. Nobody on
earth has five hundred friends, unless,
perchancc, some great hero or some note.
worthy public benefactor. Blessed, in.
deed, is the individual who possesses i've
AS to acquaintance, that is another mat
ter. Their number may be indefinitely
extended. And society is made up of
| mutual acquaintanceships Our friends
hold direrent post The sacred few that
we cherisl in our heart of hearts
are not to be COMPOUNDED with the crowd
on whom we leave cards and whom we
invite to our largest balls and most gener
al receptions. Therefore, if we give our
love, our trust our tenderness, only to n
few, we can expect return in kind only
from that few. Society, so-called, is like
a lady's ball-dress. 1t is a delicate and
| airy fabric, fit for festive occasions, not
for daily use. And if any misguided
dame were TO brave the frosts of 'Necem-
Der or the winds of March. clad in tulle
or tarlatan she would not have much
cause to blame her unsubstantial garb if
she were to catch cold She alone would
be at fault for pervertlng the flimsy attire
to use for which it never was intended
And such is the fault of those that blame
society for its heartlessness. True aflec-
ton, firm friendship, warm sympathy are,
indeed, to be found therein, bui they are
not the objects OF pursuit. 1t is an associa-
ton for mutual amusement merely. We
do not expect to gather pumpkins from
roscbushes, nor to dig potatoes from
hyacnih bed Society gives us what she
can-gay parties, pleasant receptions,
agreeable mutual intercourse. Ii is not
her province to feed our intellects or to
fill our breasts. II we love her unwisely
because too well, that is our fault, mol
hers.
And the men and women Of society are
not one whit the worse or weaker than Is
humanity elsewhere. We know more
about them, that is all. They are actors
in the dazzling comedy of real life The
fierce light" that is said tn beat upon a
throne shines broad and brilliant on the
Kings and Queens of the gay world. In
der that pitless illumination every defect
becomes cruelty apparent. Human ma
ture is the same all the world over. There
are as many weak and vain and frivolous
girls on the Bowery rs there are in Fifth
avenue A point-lace berthe as often
hides a true and warm and womanly heart
as does black stuff gown. Folly and
emptyheadedness are usually said 10
abound in the masculine ranks OF the
army of society. Yet, if every fool in
those ranks were led TO instant execution,
the race would be very far from becoming
extinct. II would thrive and flourish and
wax numerically strong even il society
itself were to have the fate Of those sup
pressed members. Many a wise man is
graceful dancer and a well-bred guest
Many fool is an ill-mannered and I'M
social boor. Many so:called woman OF
the world is a true wife. good mother,
and devoted friend And many a
home keeping dame is lazy, siatternly
heartless and disagreeable. Reg-
lister.