The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-06-11

object in view they will, in the pursuit
of that end, derive far more pleasure
and maintain more cordial and sincere
relations with each other than is pos
sible in the former bald and purpose
less assemblage. Then, too, the matter
in hand may be made of itself so inter
esting as to render needless the costly
entertainment and expensive dress
which formed so large a part of the
former festivity. Light and simple re-
freshments are in many cases taking
the place of the heavy and indigestible
banquet and dress is assuming more
natural and less extravagant tone.
The objects for which friends may as
semble are so numerous and varied
that the taste of all participants can be
consulted. Music, dancing and games
of skill, instead of being incidentals,
introduced to fill up gaps, are more
and more made the feature of the party
to which other things are subservient;
and for those of different proclivities,
literature, poetry, study of various
kinds, the problems of the day, and be-
nevolent enterprises of every shade,
offer their several opportunities for
useful and pleasurable intercourse.
Who can doubt that changes such as
these, releasing the time and powers of
men and women especially the latter
from efforts at display, extravaganza
and unwholesome living, for the far
worther objects of real enjoyment, of
mental and mora4 improvement, and
of sincere and friendly intercourse, are
} worthy of all the courage and enthusi-
: asm and energy that can be brought to
bear upon them? The field is open
not only to wealth, station and infu
ence, but to intelligence, talent, wis
} dom, foresight, tact and sympathy
wherever and to whatever degree they
exist.
Here, as elsewhere. however, we must
e beware of the common mistake of rest
ing upon our oars.
S There is no error more easily faller
: into than that of imagining that any
: beneficial social change is therefore {
: final one. The tendency of every socia
: arrangement is to become conventional
Q and mechanical. This is inevitable
because human nature is in a cOndi
tion of slow but continual growth
while institutions of every kind arr
necessarily fixed and immovable. How
h ever perfectly they may be adapted t.
y human needs when they are first estah
e lished it is tolerably certain that the,
d will not be equally efficient at SOM
o future time, and the wise man is h
e who foresees this and is prepared for il
f Most persons do not recognize this, AM
); are astonished and alarmed when it i
1. pointed out, suppOsing that what wa
y good once must be good forever. Blu
o to preserve efficiency and harmon
J. there must be from time to time sut
r, stitutions. When method of socia
1T intercourse fails of its end, when in
h terest in it flags and enthusiasm die
l. out, when pleasure gives place to wear
n ness and glad activity is succeeded b
< mere perfunctory performance Q
n what is expected, it is quite time tina
IT it was abandoned, and that som
ID fresher and more inspiring inhuenc
S, should be exerted. This is no confe:
Is sion of failure, nor does it furnish an
IS occasion for reproach. 1t is only sa.
I'd ing that its mission, being temporar
in one, is now fulfilled, and that its plae
rt is left open for some other argang
is ment, which shall be more in cons
~ nance with present needs. The re;
SIS reproach lies with those who, throug
ar blind adherence to habit, or fear of b
IN ing thought eccentric, still cling to
x social observance which has ceased
m be of benefit and whose evils are b
'lr coming increasingly evident
delphia Ledger.
ed DespiSe not any man, and do n