New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-19
Our author pictures not from foreign clImes

But has confined the subject OF his work
To the gey scenes-the circles OF Ncw-fork
on native themes his muse displays her powers
II ours the foliies, the virtues too arc ours.
Royal Tyler was sprightly writer in other
veins Also In his Yanl1ey in London 1900
he conducts an amusing controversy with an Eng
lish friend as to the relative quality of English
and New-English which is going on STILL lie
riticses the English for using great number
of words improperly, and without knowledge oil
their history meaning, but attacks especially
the Of the word clever, in the sense OF skill
full, or adroit- word not used by any English
prose writer of eminence until the reign of George
ILL., nor never introduced into serious poem until
adopted by Cowper. Englishmen from the peer
to the peasant, cannot converse ten minutes with
out introducing this particular adjunct lie
expressed his impotence also with the habitual
English use Of the word fellow" Tyler set
these of against his New-England provincialism
of guessing B. said to him with earnestness:
"a Now you have read Boswell, you must acknowl-
edge DR.. johnson TO have been very clever fel-
low. Al guess he was" replied Tyler. Noah
Webster too had a grudge against the English for
their corruption of our language. He ascrbes
the origin of many errors in the use Of words
and in pronunciation to the theatre and court
of London "Time was when these errors were
unknown: they were little known in America be-
fore the Revolution. / presume we may safely
say that our language has suffered more injurious
changes in America since the British army landed
ON our shores than it had suffered before in the
period Of three centuries
Hannah Webster Foster, author OF " The Co
ouette, or The History of Eliza Wharton" Q790,
gives this picture of proposal in the good old
times. The lover stated his case at great
length and the lady responded as
follows Sclf-knowledge, sir, that most
important of all sciences, have yet to learn.
Such have been my situations in life, and the
natural volatility of my temper, that have looked
but little into my own heart in regard to It's future
wishes and views. From scene of constraint
and confinement, ill-suited to my years and in
clination, have just launched into society. My
heart beats high in anticipation of its fancled
joys. My sanguine imagination paints in
allurng coors the Charms OF youth
and freedom regulated by virtue and in
nocence OF these l wish to partalze. While
own myself under obligations for the esteem which
you are pleased to profess for me, and in return
acknowledge that neither your person manners
are disagreeabe to me, recoil at the thought of
Immediately forming q connection which must
confne me to the duties of domestic life, and make
me dependent for happiness, perhaps too for sub
right of scrutinizing every part of my conduct,
and by censuring those foibles which / am con-
scious of not having prudence to avoid, may rem
der me completely miserable. While, therefore, l
receive your visits, and cherish towards you scnti
ments Of friendship and esteem, l would not have
you consider me confined to your society, or
obligated to future connection" Etc, etc.
In his Public Men of the Revolution" William
Sullivan left an interesting description of the
cial customs of that time: The evening amuse-
ment was usually games at cards. Tables were
loaded with provisions Those of domestic
origin were at less than half the cost of the
present time The busy part of society dined
then as now, at / others at o'clock. Three
o'clock was the latest hour for the most formal
occasions. There were no theatrical entertain
ments; there was positive legal prohibition.
There were concerts. There were subscription
assemblies for dancing, and it required unani-
nous consent to gain admission Dress was
much attended to by both sexes. Goats OF every
variety of color were worn, not excepting red ;
sometimes the cape and collar were Of velvet,
and of different color from tho coat. Minuets
were danced, and contre-dances Cotllions were
of later date. They were introduced by the
French, who were refugees from the West India
islands. Marriages and funerals were occur
day The bride was visited daily for four successive
weeks Public notice given of funerals,
and private invitations also. Attendance
pected and there long train of followers
and all the carriages and chaises that could be
had. Young men at their entertainments sat
long and drank deep, compared to the present
CUSTOM Another picture, not less interesting
perhaps, is to be found in Lyman Beecher's ac-
count of his first carpet which his wife made
about 500. Went to vendue and bought
a bale of cotton. She spun it and had it woven !;
then she laid it down, sized it and painted it in
oils with q border all around it, and punches
of roses and other flowers over the centre. She
sent to New-Yorl1 for her colors, and ground
and mixed them herself The carpet was nailed
down IN the garrett floor, and she used to go
up there and paint. Old Deacon Tamadge
came to see me. He stopped at the parlor door,
and seemed afraid to come in Walk in, Deacon,
walk in said l. I can'tl' said he, 9TH
cut steppn' ont Then. after surveying it
awhile in admiration: Dye think We can have all
that and Heaven too?'"
This volume is particularly rich in political
literature and oratory. Marshall and Hamilton
are represented by liberal extracts from their
writings John Randolph, not only by his speeches,
bun also by a sweet and kindly letter to a school
boy nephew, WHICH places the grin 'lrglhlen III u
very amiable light. Fisher Ames is represented
in part by an extract from his culogy Wash
ingtOn, through which one looks in vain. however,
for a sign OF that extraordinary power which led
member of Congress to move adjournment
Immediately after Mr.. Ames had spoken in favor
of an appropriation to carry out the Jay Treaty,
the ground that while the House was under
the spell Of Mr.. Ames's eoquence, it could
not render @ proper decision. In the citation
from William Writ on the other hand, the sacred
fire CLEANS even on the printed page. Webster,
whose greatness as an orator seems to grow upon
us as he recedes into history. is portrayed bQa
series of extracts from the speeches whose mar.
vellous eloquence has made them familiar to every
schoolboy. There also Hayne, his antago-
mist in the famous debate, Calhoun, Clay and
many others of less degree. In each case, the
solnctions haua hcen fnlicitonslr nada "a illus-