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University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875[X]
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1Author:  Kirkland Caroline M. (Caroline Matilda) 1801-1864Add
 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.
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