'
With regard to public amusements, it is still worse. Rope-dancers,
and opera-dancers, and all sorts of dancers, go through the country,
making thousands as they go; while, from high to low, there is one
universal, despairing groan of 'hard times,' 'dreadful gloomy times!'
These things ought not to be. People who have little to spend, should
partake sparingly of useless amusements; those who are in debt
should deny themselves entirely. Let me not be supposed to inculcate
exclusive doctrines. I would have every species of enjoyment as open
to the poor as to the rich; but I would have people consider well how
they are likely to obtain the greatest portion of happiness, taking
the whole of their lives into view; I would not have them sacrifice
permanent respectability and comfort to present gentility and love
of excitement; above all, I caution them to beware that this love of
excitement does not grow into a habit, till the fireside becomes a
dull place, and the gambling table and the bar-room finish what the
theatre began.
If men would have women economical, they must be so themselves. What
motive is there for patient industry, and careful economy, when the
savings of a month are spent at one trip to Nahant, and more than the
value of a much desired, but rejected dress, is expended during the
stay of a new set of comedians? We make a great deal of talk about
being republicans; if we are so in reality, we shall stay at home,
to mind our business, and educate our children, so long as one or the
other need our attention, or can suffer by our neglect.
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