Note the glaring inconsistencies of life. Our chatelaine
locked up Eugene Sue, and returned even Washington Allston's novel with thanks
and a decided hint that it should be burned; at least it should not remain in
her house. Bad books are not allowed house room, except in the library under
lock and key, the key in the Master's pocket; but bad women, if they are not
white, or serve in a menial capacity, may swarm the house unmolested; the
ostrich game is thought a Christian act. Such women are no more regarded as a
dangerous contingent than canary birds would be.
If you show by a chance remark that you see some particular
creature, more shameless than the rest, has no end of children, and no
beginning of a husband, you are frowned down; you are talking on improper
subjects. There are certain subjects pure-minded ladies never touch upon, even
in their thoughts. It does not do to be so hard and cruel. It is best to let
the sinners alone, poor things. If they are good servants otherwise, do not
dismiss them; all that will come straight as they grow older, and it does! They
are frantic, one and all, to be members of the church. The Methodist Church is
not so pure-minded as to shut its eyes; it takes them up and turns them out
with a high hand if they are found going astray as to any of the ten
commandments.
SOURCE: Mary Boykin Chesnut, Edited by Isabella D. Martin
and Myrta Lockett Avary, A Diary From Dixie, p. 46
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