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Letter to Editor
April 28, 1821
Winchester Republican
Winchester, Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical letter critiquing idle behaviors in young ladies, law/medical students, tradesmen, and public figures who prioritize vanity, leisure, or popularity over duties.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
FOR THE REPUBLICAN.
Mr. Editor—When I see a young lady, walking about the streets, running from one store to another, and never buying one cent's worth of goods, that lady, thinks I, wants to see, and be seen by the young men.
When I see a student of law or physic lurking about taverns, strutting about the streets, and attending all the public amusements, when he ought to be at his book, that youth, thinks I, will never be an honor to his profession.
When I see a tradesman that keeps half a dozen apprentices and journeymen, rise in the morning at nine o'clock, go to the tavern for his bitters, standing all day about the streets when he ought to be at his shop, that man, thinks I, will soon take the oath of insolvency.
When I see men, leaving their offices, stores and shops, and devoting their whole time and attention to digging down hills (as inaccessible as the Alps), blowing rocks, pulling down old market houses and erecting new ones, at the expense of their neighbors—and that with no other intention than of acquiring a popular name—that man, thinks I, pays dear, very dear for the whistle.
P-K.
Mr. Editor—When I see a young lady, walking about the streets, running from one store to another, and never buying one cent's worth of goods, that lady, thinks I, wants to see, and be seen by the young men.
When I see a student of law or physic lurking about taverns, strutting about the streets, and attending all the public amusements, when he ought to be at his book, that youth, thinks I, will never be an honor to his profession.
When I see a tradesman that keeps half a dozen apprentices and journeymen, rise in the morning at nine o'clock, go to the tavern for his bitters, standing all day about the streets when he ought to be at his shop, that man, thinks I, will soon take the oath of insolvency.
When I see men, leaving their offices, stores and shops, and devoting their whole time and attention to digging down hills (as inaccessible as the Alps), blowing rocks, pulling down old market houses and erecting new ones, at the expense of their neighbors—and that with no other intention than of acquiring a popular name—that man, thinks I, pays dear, very dear for the whistle.
P-K.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Social Satire
Idle Behaviors
Youth Vanity
Tradesman Insolvency
Public Ambition
What entities or persons were involved?
P K.
Mr. Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
P K.
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
the letter satirically observes and critiques unproductive behaviors among young ladies seeking attention, idle students neglecting studies, lazy tradesmen risking bankruptcy, and ambitious men pursuing popularity through unnecessary public works at others' expense.
Notable Details
Compares Inaccessible Hills To The Alps
References 'Paying Dear For The Whistle'
Repeated Phrase 'That [Person], Thinks I'