Southern Quarterly Review (Volume 25) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854. Excerpt: ... Art. VJII.--Busy Moments Of An Idle Woman. New York. Appleton & Co. 1853. This is decidedly a clever book. Rumour affirms that it is the production of one of our towns-women. If so, we may congratulate ourselves upon the possession of one, who may claim a place, at least, equal to any in the walks of female literature. The Authoress is a true wcman--her eye never fails to take in at a glance the whole dress f every lady she meets, and she reports it with, perhaps, rather too much detail. Three of the tales appear intended to bear directly upon our Charleston Society, which the writer unequivocally condemns. That there is much to condemn, is unquestionble; but he who condemns in toto will be chargeable with having looked at but one side of the question. Society with us depends neither upon family, nor upon wealth, but is, in some measure, dependant upon both. The merely rich could not support it, and even they would not expel the well-born poor, from the circle in which their fathers moved. Now, while the former may partake of its joys to the dregs, the latter must, perforce, devote more or less time, (and generally more than less) to family cares. Women are not less happy because invested with the cares of a family; and we cannot but fancy that the patient and bustling Fanny Lawrence, with all her children and housekeeping, is a far happier woman than ihe fashionable Mrs. Atherton, or the ambitious Mrs. Giey. The 'res angusta domi," is by no means an evil, if the parties have the courage to bear it bravely. Instead of a glorious compromise between a European Summer and a Southern Winter, fancy the happiness of foregoing some cherished luxury, in order that the loved partner may be gratified with his or her peculiar fancy. y Wealth appears to be neccessary...