Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-03-08
High Toned.

| BY BISHOP CLARK. OF Rhode Island.
This phrase is used with great lat
itude. In certain circles some things
are regarded as heightened which the
majority Of mankind regard as
pitched upon very low key. Cock
fighting is not considered a very ele-
waited style Of amusement, although
1t has its devotees ard admirers;
while the shooting at bewildered
pigeons, let loose from a box, is es-
teemed to be quite heightened and
an occupation altogether worthy of
our most cultivated and well-bred
young gentlemen, although the
probability is that large proportion
Of the poor birds will be left to die
lingering death in some neighboring
field. Bull fights have never been
popular in our country, but we'll
conducted professional prize-fght,
the charm of which consists in see
ing two stout men maui each other,
is a sight much sought after by those
who consider themselves as ranking
with our most respectable and high
toned citizens. Profane swearing
and deep drinking are not regarded
precisely as they were, when a gem
tleman of good degree was expected
to interlard his conversation with
fair amount of mouth filling oaths,'
and to retire from the table--or be
carried from it-with two or three
bottles OF wine under his waistcoat.
In the matter of dress there has been
OF late years u great lowering Of
tone, so far at least as the male sex
are concerned, and gay colors and
ruf1les and bright buckles, and sword
belts appear no more in private life;
although there may be found, here
and there, an aesthetic youth who
makes very much of his apparel. |
am sorry to say that it is still thought
to be heightened by certain class
of persons for man to be known as
one who does nothing for u living;
and il his father has acquired the
fortune which gives the youth a posi-
tion in society, by some honest but
humble form Of labor, it is necessary
that he should be dropped out of
sight as far rs possible. 1t was once
regarded as mark of highbreediDg
for man not to pay his debts, OF
which we have some conspicuous
examples in English history. More
than three hundred years ago we
might have heard this song sung in
many noble quarter:
ssLet the world slide, let the world 90;
A fig for care, and a fig for woe
If l can't pay, why canowe."
Those were the "good old times"
which are so much praised.
Gambling has ceased to he regard
ed as one of the accomplishments of
a heightened gentleman In the forms
which existed in ancient days, al
though, indeed, certain very respec-
table substitutes have been provided
in the way Of corners and futures
and stock operations, which answer
the same purposes.
To look down from the serene
heights Of indifference upon what is
going on in the common world with
an occasional fling at republican in
stitutions and the rule of the people,
an expression Of contempt for the
literature Of the day, charitable en-
terprises and reforms in general,
material improvement, and the pro-
gress Of society, is considered by
some people as heightened. Accord
ings to this the hooting owl is the
king OF birds.
This, of course is only the wretch
ed counterfeit Of something which is
very noble in itself, and may be ex
hibited alike by the rich and the
poor, the learned and the unlearned,
by all who are endowed with a
lofty nature, and are true to the OPP
portunities that surround them. The
man of wealth is high toned when !
he gives the world the benefit Of his |
money instead of boarding it. The
poor man is high-toned when he does |
his best to provide for his necessities |
and those who are dependent upon |
him; the business man is high toned
when his word is as good as his bond |
and he takes no undue advantage Of
his neighbor; the laborer Is high
toned when he does the work assign