Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-12-26
For the Sentinel.
THE BELLE OF MODERN DAYS.

/
"Tis Beauty, that doth oft make woman
| proud;
! Tia l MiFtAe that doth n'a1"--' -.
It's Modesty, that makes them seem divine"
A writer, Of more than ordinary celebrity,
has said, that the two most precious things
this side Of the grave, are our reputation and
our life. But it is to be amented that the
most contemplate whisper may deprive us
! Of the one, and the smallest weapon Of the
other In glancing at the various charac-
teIs which constitute society, and who seem
devoid ofthose nobleattributes which should
adorn man and woman, in the true accepta-
ton of the term, there are none who figure
more conspicuously or more liable TO just
and severe criticism, because of her own de-
pertinent, than the above named individu-
al.
Possessing faultless physique, SURPRISING
in beauty, Shakespeare creations Of Ophelia
and Desdemona, or even the maidens, as de-
scrbed by Mahomet, in language softer
than poetry, to the war-worn soldier Of the
Crescent" with an easy gracefulness of
manner and sprightiness of intellect, which
if properly utilized would make her an or
nament, yet to the contrary, she is governed
| by restless, heartliness Of her own self
interest and the qualification of some trifling
and petty spite.
She glides DER the uncertain sea Of life UNI
der false colors, and her nature has become
80 warped from Its unhealthy influence, that
everything concerning her Is false; possess
ing only very limited and shallow knowl-
edge Of poetry, which she has gathered from
the journals Of fashion, which perhaps lie
scattered through and around her room; with
a like knowledge Of prose, from having graft
fled her taste, like butterfly going from
flower 10 flower, in Swimming over some
light, trashy and demoralizing literature, she
would have you believe that she was au fdif
Of the very highest order Of literary attain
ments. Question her as 10 some touching
and beautiful passage Of the Bible, the ser
mons on the Mount or the "Story Of the
Cross" and with mock modesty, she
will doubtless give you to understand that
she seldom reads the Bible, that It Is too In
tricate, and 80 depressing. Had the time
she has lost around her looking-glass been
spent in reading and studng the beautiful
lessons as taught in the Psalms and Pro-
verbs she would be a wiser and better wo-
man.
See her at home, when her false colors are
thrown aside, and her true character is de-
velopcd The last 10 rise in tho morning,
she languishes with sicky appetite DER q
dainty breakfast, oarelessly and indferently
dressed, many of the long weary hours 10
her are occupied or whied away in devour-
ing some disgusting and demoralizing ro-
nance from the buccaneers Of literature,
which Is sown broadcast over the land In the
editions Of Saturday Night" the "New
York Ledger" or weekly News" The
mellow and beautiful imagery Of Scott or
Moore, or Of our own gifted Longfeliow
have been discarded, the sublime and inspIr-
cd truths Of Milton are unknown, the "Ora-
Giles" Of Emerson. 80 pure in tone. the writ
ings Of Carlyle and DeQuincey, 10 fascinat-
ing in style, 80 sound in philosophy have
never been opened ancient and modern
history, the standard reviews, periodicals
and magazines afford no nourishment 10 a
diseased, morbid and vitaied mind, Il
such authors were read attentively and
thoughtfuIIy, her mind would become en-.
riched, her sphere Of usefulness enlarged
appreciated and felt; they would add II
giving strength, grace and dignity 10 he
character, elevate and refine her manner
and make her true type Of what womal
should be. and what God intended her.
1 A few hours arc spent over the piano and !
4 singing songs-and A. the shades Of eyenin
e draw on, she throws herself listleasly upo
u the lounge and complains Of the excessi'
fatigue Of the day. Talk Of such carlo