Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
and we follow it indiscriminately, because it is so.
CHARLOTTE
Therefore it is, that when large hoops are in fashion, we often see many a plump girl
lost in the immensity of a hoop-petticoat, whose want of height and en-bon-point
would never have been remarked in any other dress. When the high head-dress is
the mode, how then do we see a lofty cushion, with a profusion of gauze, feathers,
and ribband, supported by a face no bigger than an apple! whilst a broad full-faced
lady, who really would have appeared tolerably handsome in a large head-dress,
looks with her smart chapeau as masculine as a soldier.
MANLY
But remember, my dear sister, and I wish all my fair country-women would
recollect, that the only excuse a young lady can have for going extravagantly into a
fashion is because it makes her look extravagantly handsome.—Ladies, I must wish
you a good morning.
CHARLOTTE
But, brother, you are going to make home with us.
MANLY
Indeed I cannot. I have seen my uncle and explained that matter.
CHARLOTTE
Come and dine with us, then. We have a family dinner about half-past four o’clock.
MANLY
I am engaged to dine with the Spanish ambassador. I was introduced to him by
an old brother ocer; and instead of freezing me with a cold card of compliment
to dine with him ten days hence, he, with the true old Castilian frankness, in a
friendly manner, asked me to dine with him to-day—an honour I could not refuse.
Sister, adieu—Madam, your most obedient—[Exit.
CHARLOTTE
I will wait upon you to the door, brother; I have something particular to say to you.
[Exit.
LETITIA, alone
What a pair!—She the pink of irtation, he the essence of everything that is outre and
gloomy.—I think I have completely deceived Charlotte by my manner of speaking
of Mr. Dimple; she’s too much the friend of Maria to be conded in. He is certainly
rendering himself disagreeable to Maria, in order to break with her and proer his
hand to me. This is what the delicate fellow hinted in our last conversation. [Exit.
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