The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-09-27
GOSSIP FROM LITCHFIELD
NO RADIOAL CHANGE EXPERI-
ENCED IN HER ORGANIC SPIRIT.
The Social Atmosphere Is so Mild and
Pleasant That the Good Outsider May
Bask In 1t as in Pleasant Dream.

hhsh III II hs III u iihNAhhN OItNhs
Ltchneld, Sept, 49, 1895.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER |
This is the time when the world at |
large. before turning in It's summer ac-
counts, would hear from Litchheld. |
Apart from its interests in the material |
prosperity of the sovereign village, it |
would know what new social problems
have been propounded, what later and |
better solutions have been applied to |
old ones and what advances have been
made in those economies of social life |
OF which Lltchield is the leader and |
the authoritative expounder.
Litchfeld is happy to meet the de-
sires of the world at large But the
world at large must not therefore claim
any special place in Litchfeld's affec-
tons, nor imagine that it enjoys any
more than its share of the large, be-
nign, cosmic sympathy with which
Ltchfield floods all created entities.
I4itchfleld is the one place on the
earths surface Of which the best thing
to be said is that she has experienced
no change. That is no radical change,
no change in her organic spirit, or in
the manifestations of her organic spfr-
1t. Outward changes are inevitable
and often beget radical notifications
In Litchfield so far, all changes have
been strictly in accordance with her
essential essence and under control of
that central power and unity which
constitute her potential character.
Other places must run riot with mod
ern improvements to keep themselves
before the eyes of the community.
other places must expand in conspicu-
ous~and questionable architectures not
to be overlooked and forgotten. Other
places must indulge in still less desira-
BILE conspicuosities in order to attract
attention. Ltchfeld has only to re-
main Litchfeld and to restrain growth
within the reach of the efflsion of her
dominating spirit. Litchfields original
determination was to allow no outsider
to settle within her borders and to linn
1t growth to the requirements of the
natural, legitimate and properly regu-
lated increase of the indigenous popu-
lation. But the demand for Litchfield-
ers the world over as centers and
sources of refined emanations increased
so rapidly that choice and plastic out
siders have from time to time, been
admitted to Litchf1eld contact and
Litchfield regeneration. Most of these
have been cast out as Improbable sub
Jects. A few remain. OF the selected,
not one has as yet been allowed, or has
presumed, to say 1--WE" in speaking of
Litchfield. During the social season
which is about closing the Litchfield
spirit has remained as clear as crystal,
as inflexible as adamant, as true as
steel. Yet the social atmosphere Of
Litchfeld is so mild, so pleasant, that
the good outsider may repose and bask
in it as in a pleasant dream. But
should he oppose himself to it, no mat
ter how infinitely, or how deity, then
will he quickly feel it's force and power.
1t will turn upon him and fling him
away as useless rubbish There have
been notable examples. Not a word
has been spoken; but parties have dis
appeared, and no one dares to ask
where they are, or what has become of
them. But if the outsider remain do
cile and deferential; if he offer no err
ratio opinions of his own; submit with
out question to the ordinances of the
burgesses; express frequent admiration
for the Litchfield character by public
admissions Of it's superiority, and be
continually imbibing as much Of the
Ltchfield idea as his coarser nature
can absorb-if he will do all this to the
best of his apparent ability; then all
feynr n
it's, he will be allowed to do about as he
p1eases. For instance, an utter out
slider has been allowed to build him
self a sumptuous house on North street
and is living therein with his family in
peace and quiet and with every expec-
tation of an uninterrupted continuance
of his felicity. That this thing is going
on with the sanction and approval of
the house of burgesses shows progress,
and proves beyond cavil that within
the core of the Litchfield idea there is
a progressive coil of we'll tempered
spring. Heretofore pure outsiders
have been relegated to the extremities
Of East and West streets. Some of the
most conservative Litchfielders are still
shaking their heads, saying that
North street was always disposed to be
giddy street and that no such expert
ment shall ever be made on South
street That South street should be a
bit envious of the fine addition to the
architecture of North street is not for
a moment to be entertained. South
street scars, and will continue to soar
far above the reach of any ignoble SEN
timent.
Another new object which cannot fail
to attract attention is a large addition
to the jail, which is so far along in
construction as to loom up conspicu-
ously between the old building and the
palace of the fire ladies. The passing
stranger IS astonished, and naturally
concludes that the Litchfield criminal
class is so increasing that the town no
longer deserves it's reputation for puri-
ty of morals and immaculateness of
virtue. If the passing stranger be an
ordinary stranger he may go his way
with any opinion with which he choose
to burden his imbecile brain. If he be
a searcher for truth, let him pause,
rneekly ask, and be informed.
As every New Highlander knows, who
has properly studied the history of his
country, his satanic majesty and his
place of abode were strong features in
early New ENGLAND theology: that is