PROGRESS, SOCIETY, AND SOCIABILITY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 35, 22 May 1858, Page 6

PROGRESS, SOCIETY, AND SOCIABILITY.

(From a Correspondent.)

But four short years ago, and the houseless

shores of our Island struck a chill to the heart of the stranger, as with a vague sense of loneliness he bade adieu to the comfortless little coaster in which he had been so lately caged up, ay, and confortless though it had been, lie could not perhaps bring himself to leave it without a feeling of regret, as it had at least been the means of affording him shelter better than any he seemed likely to find in the desolate looking region he beheld around him.

But for long years before this had the energetic and nobly enduring Settler been silently at "work until he had reaped a competency, and it may be wealth, the hard earned reward of his many privations. As his means increase so do his wants, and consequently, we see the butcher, the baker, the candlestick -mater, in short, every trade and profession spring up as it is needed. Surely some enchanter has been at work ! "Within four short years how great the change ! A sunny little township lias arisen, whose gardens and orchards already remind one of horne — one may now see the church of a Sunday at the accustomed hour, disgorging its weekly amount of feminine piety and splendour, whilst tongues of both sexes, released from a tedious tacitumily of some two hours duration, now make tip for lost time by giving vent to any pleasant little observations which the dress and general comportment of neighbours may have suggested to their respective owners during the hours of Divine Worship. Oh yes ! we progress apace, no doubt of it. Years ago, simple, kind, and social intercourse subsisted among the few settlers in the District, and a mutual feeling of dependance engendered those feelings of courtesy and cordiality which is the true essence of all good breeding. Let us trust that these feelings may long long continue in our town and settlement ; but there is a sneaking little imp, a 6ort of offshoot from Mammon, very apt to enter into your very genteel society ; you may know him by his air ; his manner is formal, and his gait is still. Having his form as it were encircled in a strait laced and closely fitting boddice, he wears his pocket handkerchief peeping forth from the outside breast pocket of his coat, looks at you through an eye-glass, and refuses to drink tea out of a saucer.

Let me here observe that I have far too high an opinion of the good sense and penetration of the intellectual body, who have the weekly advantage' of being entertained and enlightened by our highly talented and well conducted paper, lo suppose for a moment that any one of them may be conceited enough to arrogate to himself the above picture and pop the cap upon his own proper cranium. No, I say, no, for it is to be trusted that no cranium which has the periodical advantage of digesting the racy contents of the "Herald," but is endowed with a sufficiency of wit and wisdom to perceive that the above is merely intended as a personification of the spirit of upstart and mis-

taken gentility, the spirit of humbug, and not "meant for him at all ; and all I can say is, that anyone so doing, mercilessly spoils my pretty little' allegory, merely to gratify his own personal vanity.

No ! this spirit which I would fain have all good people guard against, and one which is but too ready, snakelike, to insinuate itself into the bosom of a young and rising community, growing with its growth and strengthening with its strength, is one of vulgar ostentation, contemptible pride, silly affectation, and cold formality, taking the place of brotherly kindness, sincerity, and hearty and cheery hospitality. Brother men and sister women, be warned against such spirit, shut him out from your hearts and homes, banish him from your gates. So may the Ahuriri flourish, and, with the blessing of God, rise to be the pride of our rising colony.