There is not a greater enemy to the peace of individuals, and society at
large, than Scandal; although it is much to be regretted, that, there is
no frailty to which most people are so subject. Scandal is the offspring
of Envy; and the only weapon of little minds against superior abilities.
But notwithstanding Scandal affects, more or less, every member of the
community, it reigns with more distinguished power over some parts of
society than others. On enquiry, it will appear that the female
character sustains the most injury from this bane to human happiness. In
the country, too, this species of Scandal is more prevalent than in the
metropolis. The reason is obvious; in a country place, the number of
inhabitants are so small, that each is frequently more acquainted with
the character of his neighbour than his own. Every action is examined
with the most critical severity; and often the best of characters lose
the esteem of their acquaintance from the malignant aspersions of
Ignorance and Envy. It is impossible for a lady to be seen walking with
a gentleman, in such a place, without the immediate conclusion that they
are lovers: it is even not uncommonly added, if their acquaintance
should have lasted any length of time, that Miss Such-a-one appears to
be in _fair way_. After a report of this nature has once spread, I have
seen a company of females thrown into the greatest consternation, by the
entrance of a lady who was the unfortunate subject of Slander. How busy
is the silent whisper, on these occasions! It runs with amazing
rapidity, from ear to ear, accompanied by nods and winks; with a--“You
know who”--“So they say”--“Well, I could never have thought it!” and a
variety of such phrases, which every one must at some time have heard.
Scandal is of a quality peculiarly distressing. Against the open shafts
of violence, every one may defend himself; but, from Slander, and secret
Calumny, the most deserving must suffer.
The only method to prevent this pest to society, is for every one to
shut their ears against the officious tales of Scandal and Envy; since
experience proves, that if people in general were not too much inclined
to listen, when any account is brought of the faults and failings of
others, the tongue of Scandal would no longer find the mean satisfaction
it now enjoys.
The mischiefs that accrue to mankind, from Calumny and Slander, are
innumerable. How many families have their peace destroyed by evil
reports! By such means, the seeds of enmity are too often engendered
between the dearest connections in life.
It has already been observed, that Scandal is the only weapon of little
minds against superior worth and abilities. The truth of this remark
ought to be a sufficient preventative; for, I believe, no one would wish
to incur the merited appellation of a little and envious mind. Females,
in particular, should divest themselves of this spirit, which produces
so many evils among the fair-sex; for, let it be remembered, that an
envious mind, and slanderous tongue, never inhabit the face of beauty,
and the form of elegance!--If there must still remain, in the breasts of
some, a slanderous spirit, and a delight to fabricate scandalous
reports; if most people will also retain a propensity to hear whatever
comes from such a source; let us act with some degree of impartiality:
before we credit, as undoubted truth, tales injurious so the reputation
of another; we ought, at least, to examine whether what we hear does not
wear the most flagrant marks of falsehood. Thus we may often be enabled
to discover fiction from truth, and be satisfied that the person accused
is entirely innocent: and it is the province of great minds, to
vindicate the characters of those who are absent, when unjustly aspersed
by the tongue of Scandal.
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