The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-28
AMERICAN MANNERS.

The editor oflhe New York American, speak
ing of Miss Scdjwick's new work, on Self Train
ing, says -
Her chapter on the manners, or rather the want
of manners, of some of her country women
deserves attentive pcrusa!. WE do not wish to
forfeit ali character for gallantry and chivalry
but it must be said that courtesy IS not IN every
case distinctive attribute Of the American fair.
An instance in point is worth a dozen assertions.
With such an one we were accidentally furnished
within a century. 1t occurred IN seaport mol
in the kingdom Of Bohemia. lady well dress
cd, and Of graceful meln, got into an OMNIBUS;
She carried loosely in her hand-a most ABSURD
habit--a gold pencil case. GA gettln9 out she
let it drop, and passed on UNCONSCIOUS OF me loss
The ti,ket-bov was told TO take it up and follow
her. which be did, carrying It Il? the steps OF a
house she was entering. She received 1t from
him without opening her lips, and without the
slightest change of countenance, which could be
,ran.)ated bv the most charitable observer into
EXPRESSION of thanks 60 much for real lie, yes
terdav afternoon. Miss. Sedgwick's instances
are not more in point, although better told. We
rive one or TWO, to mark with the stigma Of our
reprobaon, this odious dlscourtesy:
The most striking and prevailing defect in the
manners of Americans, is, believe, want of
courtesy. This has probably arisen from the
equality of rights, condition, and education. And
it arises in part from that maucaSe hontS or shy
ness, characteristic of our English ancestors, from
whom we inherit it.
A little reflection and moral cultivation would
soon remedy this defect.
VIVA: do mean by courtesy, and how is the
want of it shown, 60 you ask? have often seen
men in steamboats,, stage-coaches, IN churches
and in other public meetings, rise and give their
seats 10 women. and the women seat themselves
quietly, without look or word of acknowledge
ment. And so with thousand other attentions,
which are rendered and are received without any
return. Avoid such disscourtesy, my young
friends-it is not only dispeasng, but uni ust.
We actually owe some return for such civties,
and courteous acceptance is, in most cases. the
only one that can be made These little chance
courtesies are smiles on the face ofmanners. and
smiles are like sunshne-we can scarcely have
too much of either Courtesy is confined to no
age or condition. A very graceful courtesy was
rendered to Wasingtonbya little girl. He was
paving visit at her mothers house; when he
went away, she opened the door to let him out
Il wish YOU better Office, dear he said, yes,
sir-to let you I'M Discourtesy is not limited to
country. bred or uneducated persons. We have
seen plain, respectable man, on the deck of a
crowded steamboat, rise and give up his chair
(when the chairs were in alarming dsproportion
10 the si,ters) to a fashionable woman, and she
take it without the slightest acknowledgment,
when, if the person doing her the favor had been
what she called a gentleman, she would have
said, You are very kind sir, or, Pray do not
Let mn deprive you of your seat" Surely, the
most exact etiquette would be no compensation
for such supcrcousness."