Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-14
FRIvOLITY.
FERROUS REFLECTIONS FOR PREACHER
AND LAYaAY ALIKE
Shs Tendency Of Our Ase-FrivOlons CONVEX
satisns. Social Ssbit', ana Litera-
turs-Rcferm Eesa.d Both IN and
out OF the Pulpit

Tho world " empty 70 eno s .,,
Tbi. is wonderful age in which we
ara living century of matchless inven-
tions, astounding discoveries, and devel-
opments in nature and science. but
standing as we do upon the border oil
this new era We cannot help feeling that
in the whirl OF our Advancement we have
swept past and left far behind much that
Is time-honored and beautiful. War Is
being waged, though we hear not the
irumpet-blast OF the clash Of stcel-on
one side the stubborn resistance OF VEN
erable conservatism, on the other the
impatient assault of daring reform.
We have no intention Of posing as an
old fooy and opposing reform per &c, but
the ruling spirit OF our times is a ten
dency 10 throw down old barriers, to
uproot old customs and observances,
covering up deficiencies with the whole
sale polish OF the veneerings. In TINS
reckless exchange OF "old lamps for new
ones" many an unsupported treasure is
lost forever.
Friyolity, which is but another name
for lack Of reverence, is growing evil.
Ii is nowhere moro strikingly manifest
than in tho manners and conversation
Of the day.
CoLLoQUIAL GRACE.
Professor Hill in very interesting
article termed "Colloquial English y de-
plores the fact that conversation is
among the lost arts. "Where, " says he,
Gin the younger generation shall We
find the easy, graceful, colloquial touch
which Emerson and Wendell Phillips
had, which DR.. Holmes and Mr.. Lowell
have? We meet not to exchange
thoughts. fancias, or witticisms, but to
dance. eat. drink, discuss the weather,
the fashions, the Latest engagement,
etc" And where, may we ask, are the
stately and coutly manners of the
"geutlsmen OF the old school,, the Dig
nifed and graceful bearing, the brilliant
conversation with which the matrons OF
past century made drawing room re-
ceptions something to be remembered ?
The latest craze is for afternoon teas.
On these festive occasions in some OF
our large cities it is no longer consid-
cred "good form" 10 Introduce the
quests to each other. So many of the
aristocrats are not on speaking terms
with each other that on several occasions
parties being introduced by an old
fashioned but courteous hostess have
been seen to turn their backs upon
each other.
THE GERMAN.
Dancing is very charming and inno-
cent diversion in moderation, but it is
tcse1Dloai,im pOUcrtGtjs of our mental
progress that the german is the most
striking event in the lives Of our young
people. Like tho worthy old rector Of
the Church of England, who " from the
abundance OF his heart reAd 1.-the
second Sunday after the Derby instead
of the Epiphany, our maiden datesevery-
thing from the last german. 1t was
there she made her "latest mash on a
perfectly-killing fellow" whose eyes
were magnificent. his voice "iust per-
fectly lovely" and che danced, oh,
my be danced diyinely
The german is exceedingly graceful and
attractive, with its kaleidoscope changes
OF figures, the swift, sinuous informing
ling Of gay colors, fair faces, and fresh,
rounded limbs but it Is pre-eminently
thechoice occupation OF the idle-minded,
as it leaves no opportunity for an inter
change OF thought This is often lucky,
as there is no thought to exchange.
TEE RSIPrY-PATED DUDE.
who has more brains in his heels than in
his head, clasps his fair charmer to his
"b'weast and away they 60, whirling
and swirling at a msddening rate. After
conducting her with consummate skill
through all the inyolutions and cOnvolu
tons OK the dance he escorts'her grace
fully to a seat, Just in time for her to be
seized by the next partner, and so the
dance goes on with barely breathing
time between the figures. The old-fash-
toned custom OF beginning early and
closing early has been relegated to the
past, along with other primitive rubbish.
Young miss declares it "perfectly hor
nd to go early, so from 10 to o'clock
in the morning the dance must continue.
Many of the girls have fortified them
selves with a long nap beforehand and
are as fresh as larks. while the young
men, who are mostly bread-winners,
rush from thor places of business, dress
in hot haste, tear through the evening,
slipping out now and then 10 brace the
inner man with a stiInulant which often
renders them unfit for decent society.
IsTEsPERANCE.
Does the average girl resent this
habi,ual bracing on the part Of her es-
cort Ask her, and she will declare most
emphstically that she thinks " it is per-
iectly awful for young men to drink
but the fact is that tho young man who
is most noted for his "larks," whose
wild oats are sown broadcast over count
less fields, many OF them already reaped
aud standing in shocks" behind him,
is by far the most fascinating and popu-
lar man of the day. Prohibitionists may
rant and rave, suppressing here, and OPP
pressing there, bat 50 long as fair woman
does not assume her womanly preroga-
tive. bravely aud firmly turning her
back upon profigacy, little good will be
accomplished.
IL is a crime to come into woman's
presence drunk, and 1t is her fault to
allow il.
CHURCH-GoING.
One OF our choicest manifestations OF
frivolity is in our church going. Not
long ago | CHANGED TO see a copy of
come old rhymes, as old as the hills,
perhaps, but as history repeats itself,
they are as strikingly applicable to our
times as are the crisp, terse maxims OF
Confucius. They ran as foil ows
"some 20 to church 10 laugh and talk,
Sons tor pleasant ride or walk.
Some 20 show thel- last new Dress
Some 10 court Kate or Bees
Some 90 fCeet a business friend,
Some the heavy hours 20 spend.
Many so q sleep and nod
BCs, ah who COOS 10 worship Got7"
Who. alas, in this busy busting life Of
ours takes time before service to enter
his closet 10 commun6with the mighty.
unseen God to crave His blessing and
His presence in the sanctuary
Oliver Wendell Holmes says: 81 have
often observed that vulgar persons and
audiences OF inferior collective intelli-
Qcnce have fhia in common The least