LOO MANNERS AND FASHION. 



themselves in ; we shall see that this regard for conventions 

 is not quite so innocent as it looks. 



Again, it decreases the amount of social intercourse. 

 Passing over the reckless, and those who make a great dis- 

 play on speculation with the occasional result of getting on 

 in the world to the exclusion of much better men, we come 

 to the far larger class who, being prudent and honest 

 enough not to exceed their means, and yet having a strong 

 wish to be " respectable," are obliged to limit their enter- 

 tainments to the smallest possible number ; and that each 

 of these may be turned to the greatest advantage in meet- 

 ing the claims upon their hospitality, are induced to issue 

 their invitations with little or no regard to the comfort or 

 mutual fitness of their guests. A few inconveniently- large 

 assemblies, made up of people mostly strange to each other 

 or but distantly acquainted, and having scarcely any tastes 

 in common, are made to serve in place of many small par- 

 ties of friends intimate enough to have some bond of 

 thought and sympathy. Thus the quantity of intercourse 

 is diminished, and the quality deteriorated. Because it is 

 the custom to make costly preparations and provide costly 

 refreshments ; and because it entails both less expense and 

 less trouble to do this for many persons on a few occasions 

 than for few persons on many occasions ; the reunions of 

 our less wealthy classes are rendered alike infrequent and 

 tedious. 



Let it be further observed, that the existing formalities 

 of social intercourse drive away many who most need its 

 refining influence : and drive them into injurious habits and 

 associations. Not a few men, and not the least sensible men 

 either, give up in disgust this going out to stately dinners, 

 and stifi" evening-parties ; and instead, seek society in clubs, 

 and cigar-divans, and taverns. " I 'm sick of this standing 

 about in drawing-rooms, talking nonsense, and trying to 

 look happy," will answer one of them when taxed with his 



