Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-06
No. XIII.-TrEspAY, APRIL 5, 1881

No. XtIl.-IUESpAY,A APRIL ,, 1851
S.i n0es fngum jortunam.-CoRs. rKr
Manners make the man"
We hear much said of the art OF pleasing, as
consisting in the mere fascination OF manners, IN
the smile of good humour. and IN the expert use
of courtly phraze, and in knowledge of the fash
ionable graces of the day. The Importance OF this
art has been held up in every possible light. 1t
forms part of the education of all who would
shine in life; and the precepts OF the fond mother
are enforced with all the feryour and anxiety oil
parent who would see her son bend the whole force
of his faculties to the acquisition OF accomplish
ments so well calculated to adorn his character,
and to Give him celebrity in the world. Let US
look for 4 moment ut the nature OF these quaifi-
cations, which arc so sedulous!y insisted upon as
eonstituuns this sine qua non of all excellence.
They have no reference to the improvement OF
the mowers OF mind, or the encouragement and
Growth Of the noble principles OF our nature. The
GREAT matters, under whose care and labOur the
plastic powers of the youth are to be moulded into
proper forms, have nothing to do with such things
His acquisitions are 10 be merely external-re-
latiug TO the sport and bearing" and 1.-The Dor
rowed forms which grace gentleman" lie who
Is fired with the ambition Of reaching nigh excel
,ence. must be we'll taught IN all the various &C
complishments of the dancing master; must at
tain the critical acunaen and judgment of the tai
lor; and must, at all hazards, possess sufficient
confidence to meet the glances of a hundred eyes,
without being disconnected. lie must understand
the mystery of giving graceful fold to his cravat,
and have at perfect command the thousand airs
and phrazes. which. for The time being, have re-
ceiyed the authority of Fashion. He must know
the precise point Of condecension 10 which he
should bend in returning the civilies OF one class
Of acauaintances-the cold but scrnpulously po-
lite enquiries which he should make when meet
ing others-and the respectful attentions and "fair
demeanour" which should be manifested towards
a still different class Apporhon, win math-
ematical nicely, the degree OF favour, OF formal
politeness and of respectful submission which
should regulate his own manners IN exact CORES
pondence to what he believes to be the relative
rank, wealth or fashion of those whom he counts
among the number of his acquaintance
TUarrive at these excellencies, you must for
get that there are some objects in life worth strug-
p cling for, or rather you must be fully Impressed
with the idea that the only species of knowledge
which deserves the labour of single thought, is
the power of adapting your dress to the present
TASTE and to the ever varying changes OF Fashion;
10 be able to 'catch the manners living as they
rse'-to be well skilled in the science OF tlirta-
,ion-to dance so as to attract the admiration OF
the ladies, or to rouse the envy of the men, and
to take the lead in the interesting conversations
Of the ball room. The happy mother will then
look on with beating heart, and will feel that
the praises so lavlshly bestowed upon the pretty
gentleman. her son, who hasarrived at such emf
nence, are, in someRmeasure, transferred to her.
self, because it was owing to her tender care and
repeated instructions that his improvements have
been so striking. Then too NAV the accomplished
individual himself say
"Touc hing my mind, Pm study Il in all arts;
1he riches Of my thoughts and of my time,
Have been good proficient"
But. apart from all this irppery. the results OF
the wonderful influence of fashion. which puts
common seuce out of countenance, there is a spe-
cies of politeness, which has its foundation IN the
instructive feeling & emotions of our own breasts,
which does not consist in mere forms and words.
but in the desire OF administering to the happiness
of those around US, and Of doing acts OF kindness
TO others, which never fails in encouraging acts
of kindness to ourselves. 1t is kind Of polite
ness natural TO all men whose hearts are true,
whose intentions are honest and kind, and whose
spirit is prompt in returning benefit received.
and alive to feelings of proper self-respect Such
a man needs not the aid of artihce. He dissem-
b,es in nothing The natural ease and grace
which invariably mark the manners OF such an in
iividual, whose very manners exhibit the char
acter of fair aud honest mind. Is far above the
no,ish and confident air of the s'conceited spark"
who does and says every thing for effect.
That mani care not what his situation in
life NAV be-who is animated with desire Of
promoting, in every way, the happiness of those
with whom he is associated, and whose kind in
tentions are under the regulation of good sense,
and are controlled by regard as well for his
own feelings of sefreGpect as for the feelings of
others. possesses the fhte art Of pleasing Po-
Eshsd manners and courtly address can never
com oensate for an uncultvated and ilI-stored
mini. A conversation, to interest and please,
must consist of something more than the constant
rsnetit,on Of the reigning phrase and current
exclamation, and fashionable barbaTisms of the