| | 1 | Author: | Kirkland
Caroline M.
(Caroline Matilda)
1801-1864 | Add | | | Title: | The evening book, or, Fireside talk on morals and
manners  | | | | Published: | 2003 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | What an old-fashioned word! Yes—and it means an old-fashioned
thing too. A “post-coach” of twenty years ago in
comparison with a rail-car of the present day, is as the “household”
of our great-grandfathers to the “menage” or our time. The keep
of a feudal castle would look rather out of place among the conservatories,
artificial waterworks, and Chinese bridges of a modern
garden; perhaps the household, or citadel of home, has as little
claim to a position of honor among the “refinements” of fashionable
society. What need of walls or intrenchments when we live
for the public? Privacy is but another word for ennui; retirement
has but one meaning or value—that of affording opportunity of
preparation for display. If we would shut out the world, it is only
when nature imperiously demands a moment's respite from its glare.
Happy they whose nerves, like iron, grow the tougher by hammering!
They need lose no time. `I hardly dare take the pen to write to you, John, yet it seems
better than leaving you without a word. I shall not try to excuse
myself, but I feel sure I should never have been happy, or have
made you happy, if I had kept to our engagement only for shame's
sake. I did love you at the beginning; I was not deceitful then;
but afterwards I learned to love another better, and for this you are
partly to blame. You are too grave and serious for me: I have
not spirits enough for us both. I always felt down-hearted after we
had been together, although you were always so kind and good.
Do not fret about this; fall in love with somebody else—somebody
that is gay and light-hearted. I know I am running a great risk,
and very likely shall be sorry that I ever left a man so good as you
are for one who is more pleasant, but not any better, not so good,
perhaps. I would have told you sooner, but could not make up my
mind. God bless you and farewell. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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