LINES. "A splendid supper, consisting of every delicacy of the season, succeeded the refreshments served during the country dances. At four o'clock in the morning the company separated, deeply impressed with the graceful reception and refined politeness of the lady of the mansion, and the hospitality of her noble husband." 497 bone, and a key organ, which mingled its sharp tones with those of the other instruments, and sometimes executed solos. At three o'clock, such of the party as suffered most from suffocation, proceeded home. Two hours were consumed in getting up the equipages, owing to the confusion which reigned among them: at length, however, the owners entered their carriages, their dresses which three or four hours before were so smart, now all dislation of reading in their morning papers of the pleasures one was supposed to have had at the ball, and those details of it which one could not have observed there. To this account of a ball, at which I was present, extracted from the principal London newspapers to which it had been officially sent, I will append a faithful recital of what I wit-composed: but there was the day next the consonessed. The house in which the fete was given, though handsome enough for an English mansion, was, nevertheless, of moderate size: by comparing its extent with the number of persons invited, it was obvious that (as at most of the London fetes) space was really wanting. The receiving room was divided by a sliding partition, which was removed for the occasion. Two lustres lighted with about fifty wax candles, and reflected by handsome mirrors, contrasted disadvantageously with the deep red drapery of the saloon. Some vases of flowers lined the foot and angle of a staircase, which two people could scarcely ascend abreast. Having made my appearance at half past ten o'clock, I found the master and mistress of the house alone, seated near the principal door of the salon awaiting the company, which did not arrive till eleven. Twenty large fauteuils and two sofas placed perpendicularly to the chimney, and in a very inconvenient position, were soon occupied. Two hundred ladies, detained at home by the tyranny of bon ton in all the ennui of a domestic fireside till twelve o'clock, now filled the two salons. Beyond, was a small room, whose originally narrow dimensions were still further reduced by a table covered with caricatures, albums, and knick-knacks. This room communicated with a small ante-chamber, and led into a gallery crowning the staircase, on the steps of which the last comers ranged themselves in couples. At twelve o'clock the ball room was thrown open. For a few minutes the other rooms were freed of the unpleasant crowd; but the respite was of short duration, for the carriages which every moment continued to set down fresh company in a ratio disproportioned to the extent of the apartments, obliged, at length, a part of the assembly to take refuge in the hall, which was quietly abandoned by the servants, these latter establishing their head quarters on the steps outside the door. To move was now impossible for those who bad not the strength to use their elbows, or the courage to leave a portion of their dress in the midst of the crowd. The supper room was thronged with people who could not make their way out: they who, dying with thirst, in vain attempted to enter this apartment, accused those within of immoderate appetite. Written for the Saturday Evening Post. Addressed to one who will understand them. I marvel not thine eye is dim, Or thy young cheek is pale, Disease is preying on thy form, And sorrow on thy soul In keen remorse and harrowing thought, A guilty, wretched thing, thou art, The past's a scone of rayless gloom- A barren waste appears. In that lone, silent glade? Was it to make my bleeding heart As desolate as thine? Enough-thy blasted form ere long OSCAR. In the ball room there was the same crowding. the same suffocation, with this additional difference, that the male dancers opposed to the approach of the crowd effective coup de pieds, and the ladies a certain portion of their person, which Several explanations of casuists, to multiply shall be nameless. The orchestra was composed the catalogue of sins, may be called amendments of a piano, a harp, violins, a violoncello, a trom- to the ten commandments. Written for the Casket. THOUGHTS ON THE LITERATURE OF THE AGE. All will admit that the present is an age of discovery. The wonderful and novel improvements which are every day making in the circle of the arts and sciences, are strong proofs of the increased spirit of enterprise that exists in society: But perhaps it is not generally observed, that the march of rich intellectual refinement, and more polished acquirements, is not proportionate. Scientific researches are encouraged, to the almost complete and entire exclusion of literary pursuits; and the natural consequence is, that any great degree of excellence in the latter is very rarely attained. Without an adequate excitement, the mind grows weary in its course; and even genius, unassisted, will turn aside from its most congenial pursuit. Encouragement gives vigour to exertion-patronage is the fostering parent of merit. "To the making of books there's no end," says Solomon, and, at the present period; his words are literally true. The press is daily teeming with the productions of the age; the farmer, the mechanic, the merchant, as well as the professional erudite, all write. Authorship, as a distinct avocation, now scarcely exists-all are authors, and the pen is in the hands of all. "If a young thought but shake its ear, Or wag its tail, though starv'd it look, The world the precious news must hear, The presses groan, and lo!—A BOOK." And yet it is strange, that in all this mass of embodied thought, there is so little of originality, -such a palpable annunciation of intellectual poverty. The stream of literature rolls on, accumulating, it is true, in its course, yet sweeping along indiscriminately good and bad fluids, which polluted or purified its waters at the fountain head. sent day; and not a few inhale their poetic inspi- much brilliancy in the dazzling horizon of litera- Nor is this intended as a mere comparison between those two great classes of authors, the moderns and ancients; for I believe, if calm investigation were made of the comparative merits of the two, that the former would suffer little from the inquiry. But I refer more particularly I have as little desire, perhaps, as any one, to to the present existing state of literature, as condetract from modern merit, or to withhold from trasted with what it was in those times in which genius the laud it richly merits, simply because a Milton, a Dryden, an Addison, and a Pope, it did not make its appearance some ages sooner. were numbered among its ornaments. I cite I am no advocate for that species of pedantry Britons as examples, because English literature which wishes to extol the fame of the past by and ours must, for many causos, over be intidecrying that of the present-to build an ancient mately connected. And who have we now to triumphal arch from the desolate ruins of the compare with these men? How many authors modern edifice. But still it is a truth, too mani- have wc, who, like them, can display their own fest to be denied, that many, even of our best peculiar genius-their own singular excellency? writers, have not depended upon the exhaustless They drank deep of the classic fount, but it was resources of their own minds for the first con- only to enrich the flow of grace with which they ception, the material of thought, or the after were before inspired;-they plucked the choicest polish and embellishment, of many of the works flowers from the ancient garden, but it was only which they have presented to the world, to de- to deck that which was in itself intrinsically ceive an indulgent public. They have gathered good and elegant;-they perfected the half conthe ideas which were first propagated, and caught ceived images of those who had gone before the spirit which first shone forth, when the poets them, and by polishing and improving made and orators of Athens, and the mathematicians them their own property. They are not carried of Syracuse, stood alone in the field of know-away by a blind and foolish admiration; but reledge, the boundless empire of mind. Many a gem which now glitters in the sparkling diadem of wit, has been drawn from the deep mines of classic lore; and many a sprig of laurel which decks the brow of science, has been culled from the wreath worn by the hoary headed sages of antiquity. The Heliconian fount has furnished a source for many a rhyming rivulet of the pre lying on the strength of their own native powers, they scorned that base and servile spirit of imtation, which characterises too many writers of the present day. And why has this spirit obtained a place amongst us? The reason is not difficult of discovery: "the bold and daring flight of genius" is no longer attempted. Men cease to employ THE PATHWAY of life—A DIGNITY BALL. But this will never do for America's youth. The literary horizon is expanding a wide theatre is opening for the display of talent; and it will not be long till the whole energy and power is called into vigorous action. Then trifling will no longer be admissible-superficial attaintments will be treated as futile and worthless-and the palm of merited superiority earned before it is awarded. He who is truly learned, will alone be truly great. Those who are now the few brilliant characters of which we boast, shall then be but a small part of a mighty phalanx which will support and push forward the standard of enterprise and improvement. A. L. M. A DIGNITY BALL. 499 those means which can alone confer superiority; and shrink from encountering those obstacles The governor's ball was very splendid, but the which make arduous the way of greatness. They ladies were rather sallow from the effects of the bestow little labour to the improvement of na-climate. However, there were exceptions, and ture's gifts-and inferiority is the natural and on the whole it was a very gay affair; but we inevitable consequence. They are satisfied with were all anxious to go to the dignity ball of Miss chasing gaudy butterflies in their sportive flut- Betsy Austin. I slipped away with three other terings, when they should be following the soar midshipmen, and we soon arrived there. A of the tempest-nursed eagle. crowd of negroes were outside of the house, but the ball had not yet commenced, from the want of gentlemen, the ball being very correct, nothing under mulatto in colour being admitted.Perhaps I ought to say here, that the progeny of a white and a negro is a mulatto, or half and half, of a white and mulatto, a quadroon, or one quarter black, and of this class the company were chiefly composed. I believe a quadroon and white makes the mustee or one-eighth black, and the mustee and white, the mustafina, or one sixteenth black. After that they are white washed, and considered as Europeans. The pride of colour is very great in the West Indies, and they have as many quarterings as a German prince in his coat of arms; a quadroon looks down upon a mulatto, while a mulatto looks down upon a sambo, that is, half mulatto half negro, while a sambo in his turn looks down upon a nigger. The quadroons are certainly the handsomest race of the whole, some of the women are really beautiful: their hair is long and perfectly straight, their eyes large and black, their figures perfection, and you can see the colour mantle in their cheeks quite as plainly and with as much effect as in those of a European. We found the door of Miss Austin's house open, and ornamented with orange branches, and on our presenting ourselves, were accosted by a mulatto gentleman, who was, we presumed, "usher of the black rod." His head was well powdered, he was dressed in white jean trowsers, a waistcoat not six inches long, and an half-worn post-captain's coat on, as a livery. With a low bow, he "took the liberty to trouble de gentlemen for de card for de ball," which being produced, we were ushered on by him to the ball-room, at the door of which Miss Austin was waiting to receive her company. She made us a low curtsey, observing, "She really happy to see de gentlemen of de ship, but hoped to see de officers also at her dignity. THE PATH WAY OF LIFE. I saw it thus, e'en when the shades of night Why will ye sport? The raging gulf; beware, nor dare your fate. Where bound? I asked: "To that celestial shore, SCHILLER. This remark touched our dignity, and one of my companions replied "that we midshipmen considered ourselves officers, and no small ones either, and that if she waited for the lieutenants she must wait until they were tired of the governor's ball, we having given the preference to her's." This remark set all to rights, sangaree was handed about, and I looked around at the company. I must acknowledge, at the risk of losing the good opinion of my fair country women, that I never saw before so many pretty figures and faces. The officers not having yet arrived, we received all the attention, and I was successively presented to Miss Eurydice, Miss Minerva, Miss Sylvia, Miss Aspasia, Miss Euterpe, and many others, evidently borrowed from the different men-of-war which had been on the station. All these young ladies gave themselves all the airs of Almack's. Their dresses I cannot pre tend to describe-jewels of value were not, tion at Barbadoes." A country dance was now wanting, but their drapery was slight? they ap- called for, which was more acceptable to all peared neither to wear or to require stays, and parties, as none of Mr. Apollo Johnson's were on the whole, their figures were so perfect that very perfect in their cotillion, and none of the they could only be ill-dressed by having on too officers, except O'Brien, knew any thing about much dress. A few more midshipmen and some them. O'Brien's superior education on this lieutenants (O'Brien among the number) having point, added to his lieutenant's epaulet and handmade their appearance, Miss Austin directed some person, made him much courted; but he that the ball should commence. I requested the took up with Miss Eurydice after I had left her, honour of Miss Eurydice's hand in a cotillion and remained with her the whole evening, therewhich was to open the ball. At this moment by exciting the jealousy of Mr. Apollo Johnson, stepped forth the premier violin, master of the who it appears was amorous in that direction.ceremonies, and ballet-master, Massa Johnson, Our party increased every minute: all the offi really a very smart man, who gave lessons in cers of the garrison, and finally, as soon as they dancing to all the "Badian ladies." He was a could get away, the governor's aid-de-camps, dark quadroon, his hair slightly powdered, dress- all dressed in mufti (i. e. plain clothes.) The ed in a light blue coat thrown well back, to show dancing continued until three o'clock in the his lily white waistcoat, only one button of which morning, when it was quite a squeeze, from the he could afford to button to make full room for constant arrival of fresh recruits from all the the pride of his heart, the frill of his shirt, which houses in Barbadoes. I must say that a few botwas inclined au Jabot superb, four inches wide, tles of Eau de Cologne thrown about the room and extending from his collar to the waistband would have improved the atmosphere. By this of his nankeen tights, which were finished off at time the heat was terrible, and the mopping of bis knees with huge bunches of ribbon; his legs the ladies' faces everlasting. I would recomwere encased in silk stockings, which, however, mend a dignity ball to all stout gentlemen who was not very good taste on his part, as they wish to be reduced a stone or two. Supper was showed the manifest advantage which an Euro- now announced, and having danced the last pean has over a coloured man in the formation country dance with Miss Minerva, I of course of the leg: instead of being straight, his shins had the pleasure of handing her into the supper curved like a cheese-knife, and, moreover, his room. It was my fate to sit opposite to a fine leg was planted into his foot like the handle in- turkey, and I asked my partner if I should have to a broom or scrubbing-brush, there being the pleasure of helping her to a piece of the quite as much of the foot on the heel side as on breast. She looked at me yery indignantly, and the toe side. Such was the appearance of Mr. said, "Curse your impudence, sar, I wonder Apollo Johnson, whom the ladies considered as where you larn manners. Sar, I take a lilly the ne plus ultra of fashion, and the arbiter ele- turkey bosom, if you please. Talk of breast to gantiarum. His bow-tick, or fiddle-stick, was lady, sar; really quite horrid." I made two or his wand, whose magic rap on the fiddle pro- three more barbarous mistakes before the supduced immediate obedience to his mandates.- per was finished. At last the eating was over, "Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats." All and I must say a better supper I never sat down started up. Miss Eurydice, you open de ball." to. "Silence, gentlemen and ladies," cried Mr. Miss Eurydice had but a sorry partner, but she Apollo Johnson, "wid de permission of our amiaundertook to instruct me. O'Brien was our vis- ble hostess, I will purpose a toast. Gentlemen a-vis with Miss Euterpe. The other gentlemen and ladies-You all know, and be so you don't, were officers from the ships, and we stood up, I say that there no place in de world like Barbatwelve chequered brown and white, like a chess- does. All de world fight against England, but board. All eyes were fixed upon Mr. Apollo England nebber fear; King George nebber fear, Johnson, who first looked at the couples, then while Barbadoes tand tiff Badian fight for at his fiddle, and, lastly, at the other musicians, King George to last drop of him blood. Nebber to see if all was right, and then with a wave of see de day Badian run away; you all know dem his bow-tick the music began. "Massa lieuten-Frenchmans at San Lucee, give up Morne Forant," cried Apollo to O'Brien, "cross over to apposite lady, right hand and left, den figure to Miss Eurydice-dat right; now four hand round. You lilly midshipmen, set your partner, sir; den twist her round; dat do, now stop. First figure all over." At this time I thought I might venture to talk a little with my partner, and I ventured a remark; to my surprise she answered very sharply, "I come here for dance, sar, and not for chatter; look, Massa Johnson, he tap um bow-tick." The second figure commenced, and I made a sad bungle; so I did of the third, and fourth, and fifth, for I never had danced a cotillion. When I handed my partner to her place, who certainly was the prettiest girl in the room she looked rather contemptuously at me, and observed to a neighbour, "I really pity de gentlemen as come from England, dat no know how to dance nor nothing at all, until em hab instruc tunec, when he hear the Badian volunteer come against him. I hope no 'fence present company, but um sorry to say English come here too jealous of Badians. Gentlemen and lady-Barbadian born ab only one fault-he really too brave. I purpose health of 'Island of Barbadoes.' Acclamations from all quarters followed this truly moderate speech, and the toast was drank with rapture; the ladies were delighted with Mr. Apollo's eloquence, and the lead which he took in the company. O'Brien then rose and addressed the company as follows:-"Ladies and gentlemen-Mr. Poil has spoken better than the best parrot I ever met with in this country, but as he has thought proper to drink the Island of Barbadoes, I mean to be a little more particular. I wish, with him, all good health to the island, but there is a charm without which the Island would be a de A DIGNITY BALL. sert-that is, the society of the lovely girls which Many other toasts and much more wine was drank, until the male part of the company appeared rather riotous. Mr. Apollo, however, had to regain his superiority, and after some bems and haws, begged permission to give a sentiment. "Gentlemen and ladies, I beg to say: "Here's to the cock who make lub to de hen, Flutters him wing and make lub again." This sentiment was received with rapture, and after silence was obtained, Miss Betsy Austin rose and said-"Unaccustomed as she was to public 'peaking, she must not set 'till and not de name of de ladies she begged leave to protank de gentleman for his very fine toast, and in pose anoder sentimen, which was 'Here to de hen what nebber refuses, If the first toast was received with applause, this was with enthusiasm; but we received a damper after it was subsided, by the lady of the house getting up and saying "Now, gentlemen and ladies, me tink it right to say dat it time to go home; I nebber allow people get drunk or kick up bobbery in my house, so now I tink we better take parting glass, and very much obliged to you for your company." 501 him. O'Brien, who knew the tender part of black, saluted Apollo with a kick on the shins, which would have broken my leg. Massa Johnson roared with pain, and recoiled two or three paces, parting the crowd away behind. The blacks never fight with fists, but butt with their heads like rams, and with quite as much force. When Mr. Apollo had retreated he gave his shin one more rub, uttered a loud yell, and started at O'Brien, with head aimed at O'Brien's chest, like a battering ram. O'Brien, who was aware of this plan of fighting, stepped dexterously on one side, and allowed Mr. Apollo to pass by him, which he did with such force, that his head went clean through the pannel of the door behind O'Brien, and there he stuck as fast as if in a pillory, squealing like a pig for assistance, and foaming with rage. After some difficulty he was released, and presented a very melancholy figure. in tatters; he appeared, however, to have had His face was much cut, and his superb Jabot all quite enough of it, as he retreated to the supper room, followed by some of his admirers, without asking or looking after O'Brien. friends were too indignant to allow us to go off But if Mr. Apollo had had enough of it, his scot-free. A large mob was collected in the street, vowing vengeance on us for our treatment of their flash man, and a row was to be expected. Miss Eurydice had escaped, so that O'Brien had his hands free. "Cam out, you hangman teifs, cam out; only wish had rock stones, to mash your head with," cried the mob of negroes. The officers now sallied out in a body, and were saluted with every variety of missile, such as rotten oranges, cabbage-stalks, mud, and cocoanut shells. We fought our way manfully, but as we neared the beach the mob increased to As O'Brien said, this was a broad bint to be hundreds, and at last we could proceed no furoff, so we all now took our parting glass, in com-ther, being completely jammed up by the nigpliance with her request, and our own wishes, gers, upon whose heads we could make no more and proceeded to escort our partners on their impression than upon blocks of marble. "We way home. While I was assisting Miss Minerva must draw our swords," observed an officer.— to her red crape shawl, a storm was brewing in "No, no," replied O'Brien, "that will not do; if another quarter, to wit, between Mr. Apollo once we shed blood, they will never let us get Johnson and O'Brien. Ó'Brien was assiduous-on board with our lives. The boat's crew by ly attending to Miss Eurydice, whispering what this time must be aware that there is a row."he called soft blarney in her ear, when Mr. O'Brien was right. He had hardly spoken, beApollo, who was above spirit-boiling heat with fore a lane was observed to be made through jealousy, came up, and told Miss Eurydice that the crowd at the distance, which in two minutes he would have the honor of escorting her home. was open to us. Swinburne appeared in the "You may save yourself the trouble, you dingy middle of it, followed by the rest of the boats' gut-scraper," replied O'Brien, "the lady is un- crew, armed with the boats' stretchers, which der my protection, so take you ugly black face they did not aim at the head of the blacks, but out of the way, or I'll tell you how I treat a 'Ba-swept them like scythes against their shins. This dian who is really too brave."" "So elp me God, Massa Lieutenant, 'pose you put a finger on me, I show you what Badian can do." Apollo then attempted to insert himself between O'Brien and his lady, upon which O'Brien shoved him back with great violence, and continued his course towards the door. They were in the passage when I came up, for hearing O'Brien's voice in anger, I left Miss Minerva to shift for herself. Miss Eurydice had now left O'Brien's arm, at his request, and he and Mr. Apollo were standing in the passage, O'Brien close to the door, which was shut, and Apollo swaggering up to they continued to do, right and lett of us, as we walked through and went down to the boats, the seamen closing up the rear with their stretchers, with which they ever and anon made a sweep at the black fellows, if they approached too near. It was now broad day-light, and in a few minutes we were again safely on board the frigate. Thus ended the first and last dignity ball that I attended. well as a general truth. The Spanish draw theirs prinA PROVERB is a kind of national characteristic, as cipally from beggary or religion; the Italians from politics and love; the French from gallantry and politeness; the English from thrift. |
