Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-09


sion of all points, upon which they are known
to have strong convictions OF preJudiees. hat
gentemanly holding back ofdisagreeaoie Things;
that forbesring tenderness, which by an ins'lne-
tive tact, understands all the vulnerable points
Of the guest, and generously avoids them, is the
most conclusive and undeniaole diploma OF
having been initiated into good society!
Everyone, with the slightest Prelensions TO
breeding, now understands that loud speaking,
earnes, disco ssioB, aaA boisterous manner are
universally excluded from respectable compa-
nv As people are always in danger OF over
shooting the mark, we often find ourselves az a
losssto hear what is said at table, or IN the So
cial circle, through the desire OF being fashion,
ably low and g~niie in tone Of voice. 1t Is Ca
sv so to euuno ate as 10 br heard dis inotly; and
vet no, trench on those loud and boIsIerous
tones. which are utterly inconsistent with sny
claim to erntieness Of manners. Then again,
there is no need Of TACT and good sense, IN order
10 steer betwe the Two extremes OF saying 100
much, and engrossing h. conversation anu say
ing nothing; and thus leaving the company
10 the unple asant sensation OF hearing the pal
pitatons Of their neighbours bosom. vi the
two extremes, however. we areclear Tor silence,
a meeting If Quakcrs, time Tor sage resec-
tons. rather than that one person should set
up Sir Oracle, and engross the conversation
1t is certainly still more iutolerabe, to manifest
any disposition, to select The best place, 1000,
wine, and good things. Generally speaking,
an inleliigen, hos, will know how 10 elicit and
call forth the ,slkabls powers OF his guests; and
start game for them, without himself showing
any disposition TO turn chief speaker, and dis
play himself.
The most essential requisites, then, as we
view it, to bear a part in good society, is TO
have really kind and generous elings; and to
be able to 90 out Of the vanity and meannrss OF
self for The comfort of the associates. In the
next place 10 be well Informed upon general
subjects In the third place 10 be frank, SIM
pie and easy in enuncia'ing our part OF the
conversation. Four!hIy, to consider the con.
versation common stock, and every member
Of the company equal Partners; and OF course,
10 take in hand neither more, ner less, than
fair proportion. 4 generous and liberal mind
Is, also, an e,s-nrial Ingredient; mind, which
presses not upon the prejudiccs, sectarian itel'
,nes. and peculiar views and thoughts OF The
members Of the company. The party should
be perfectly al ease This will tend to place
every person OF the society in the same situa>
| :ion.
There is much, il is true. which no rules
could explain, or impart-not all The directions
OF Cheese field; much, hat can only be learned
| BY the eve and The ear, and attentive obseiva-
ZION. whrre all the rules are Brought into ope>
ration and exemple. But there is one point,
worth all the resi-; and, if july observed will
serve as a substitute for all OF hers. II follow
ed, it vii, qua ag ms, nsolrnce. purse.pride,
soaa s dF Prf at and
al The yawning tendency Of miserable COM
mon place. l, is that the party should never
bose sight Of SELF respect We Ill ,ee, and
know in momen', wha, is disagree able ia ano-
theI. L., US resoul,ly avoid II in ourselves.
And this brings remark, that if We re-
ally enrerlain, d and cultivated proper seI(-res.
prc,, it would effrc,u.ily extirpa'e, root ant
brancb. TIA, fruitful source OF Jealousy, envy,
and heart burning, all III feeling ards those,
who might otherwise seem disposed, TO with
hold from US our proper place in society. II
is the glory Of Gus Institutions and # our Older
Of things, that every free man is equal suffi>
cent, independent; has right to be known IN
his place; and my rest, like pyramid on his
own basis. But the moment there is dIspn-
sition, to fad fault, 10 fel envious, and to bar
Dor I'll feeling, bee ause sou are left out of par
ticular circle it is tacit admission, in your
mind. thai you would have been more honored,
by being received there, than they would by
receiving you Every one ought to respect
himself too much, to entertain such thought
Let every one say, in the true spirit Of repub-
lican, Il, is their loss to have lef me out 1t
is Ger ainly manif. station of servile spirit, TO
have a"y JEALOUSY upon the subject, and clear
admission o. the want Of due self-resnect.
We never read 81 admirable homily, 10
settle quarrcis, and heart burniugs Of tina, sort,
as is rea'ed in Don o. xottr. 1t is many
wears since we read The aneCduts; bu; the fol.
living IS he substance Of it. Every reader Of
tina, admirable book e;nenb~rs, that the ia
NOUS duke and dutchpss made dinner for the
don and his honest squire, and most powerful
trencher man. Soncho, -wIih all the assumed
mock gravity Of respect, behiing the high
Ilims of the knight Of La Mancha 1t is Will
known, how puno,ilionsly observani the don
was, of the minu,est mint aud cummin Of Ell
qufte. The dinner waiting. The digni |
laries, in full dress, were re ,dy to sit down,
when cont.s, arose, which should take the
place OF honor al the table, he don or tn. duke
The duke insisted, that having a, lis sahle The
thrice chivalrous knight of La Manoha, re.
nowned through the universe, rothing woulG |
tempt hin, to allow the don any other place, |
than that OF the Hrsi hopo- The don was az |