Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-02-27
SOCIETY OF T0-DM.

How frequently do we meet with the
phrase, "a sociable cup of tea +" in reading
novels, which portray the customs, habits,
and usages Of the past generation How
suggestive is the phrase of those delightful
gatherings of our mothers and grandmoth-
ers, who dispensed such graceful hospitality
and hobnobbed with gentlemen of the old
school over the exhilarating beverage. But
this era, about which cluster SO many hall
lowed memories and tender "reminiscences,
has passed away, never TO be recalled The
times have changed, and we have changed
with them 1t is sad, too, to reflect that the
sociability which the custom engendered has
passed away with the generation which gave
it birth, and is now as obsolete as the
name of the vessel out of which ii was
served. The disappearance of this custom
has been the harbinger Of radical changes
in the character of society. The reciprosity
Of thought and sentiment, the bond of I'M
ion and sympathy between ncighbor and
neighbor, enduring friendships and tender
attachments, took their growth and origin
in these social gatherings of the :" dear dead
past" We love TO linger over this train of
pleasant thought, tinged, perhaps, with a
shade of sadness, when we reflect that we
too shall soon be numbered among the
things that were and have our peculiarties
and foibles written about by the succeeding
generation. The memories and traditions
Of our ancestors, their virtues and mental
characteristics, their habits and associations,
their sayings and doings, all have an UNI
speakablc charm and interest for us, and we
store them away among the sacred relics of
memory. Who can estimate the influence
for good of these trivial incidents of the
past upon the career and destiny of some
remote descendant, whose mind has been
imbued with those principles of virtue and
integrity which characterized some revered
ancestor. In an ethical point of view, the
customs which obtained among our ances-
tors were purifying and eleyatng in their
influence on society, and constituted the
unadultemted feast of reason and flow of
soul" Among us Anglo-Saxon folk sense
Of enjoyment no longer peryades these So
eial gatherings. In the present condition of
society, when culture is high and widely
difiused, when manners are artificial in the
extreme, when the appliances of comfort
and even luxury are within the reach of all /;
when the science of living has been reduced
TO system 10 which all alike can conform,
when the host and hostess, by perfection OF
attendance and arrangement, are relieved
from all duties connected with the rites Of
hospitality, the only duty required of the
guest is 10 display his capacity for eating
and drinking-sensuous epicurcansm reigns
sGSrsne This style Of entertainment suits,
indeedA the ostentatious spirit Of modern
society. In what marked contrast is this
mode Of life TO the simple primatiye ways of
our ancestors who presided with ease and
dignity at their own hospitabe boards and
dispensed the vands with their own hands.
The little attentions of the table, the bond
and stimulus Of mutual service, constitute
the chief enjoyment OF meal The alb
sence OF them makes il estate, Hat, and UNI
profitable" These little, kindly offices al
meal time strengthen the spirit of cornwall
ity and social companionship, and bridge
many gap in friendship. The custom
among our fathers of passing wine around
the festive board no longer exists. II /,
merely served now for the sake of its stimu
iating effect. TWAS acommendablc custom
in aye olden time" of taking wine together
passing Il one 10 another, accompanied by
good wishes and mutual toasts How many
long dormant friendships have been restored
by magnamimous toast how many hearts
filed with bitter hate, and still ranking il
The Thought Of unredr,ssed wrongs hay,
been touched bya generous sense of forgive
ness and warmed into lasting friendship anC
and Cancellation by some frank concession
conveyed in toast This, after all, Is IN,
chief end and aim of society "a cultivai,
the kindly attributes Df our nature and fos
Ter feelings Of mutual friendship and esteem
and there time -hoDorcd customs, which con
tributed 10 much 10 this object, are ignore,
OF forgotten in this mldstof The elegant con
ventionalitics which characterize the enter
iainmenis OF modern life and civilization
In this country, unfortunately, the tendency
is not towards simplicity and trugaliiy. III,
only external distinction among " our fcrs
democracy" is display and osteniaiion. Il
is the only insignia Of rank the only patent
Of nobility ON this side Of the Atlantic.