New-York daily tribune., 1844-11-07
MANNERS


G. s. Francis aas B'oadway.) Continued.
A plentiful fo1ture is reckoned necessary, in
the popular Judgment, to the completion of this
man of the world: and it is material deputy
which walks through the dance which the first
has led. Money is not essential, but this vide
affinity is, which transcends the habits of clique
and caste, and makes itself felt by men of all
classes. If the aristocrat is only valid in fash.
ionabIe circles, and not with truckmen, he will
never be a leader in fashion; and if the man of
the people cannot speak on equal terms with the
gentleman, SO that the gentleman shall perceive
that he is already really of his own order, ne is
no. to be feared Diogenes, Socrates, and Epa-
minondas, are gentlemen of the best blood, who
have chosen the condion of poverty, when that
OF wealth was equally open to them use these
old names, but the men l speak OF sre my con-
.emporaries. Fortune will not supply to every
pneration one of these wel-appointed knights,
b / every collection of men frsnisaeS so,ne ex-
aaple OF the class: and the politics Of this coun-
try, and the trade of every town. are controlled
by these hardy and irresponsible doers, who have
invention to take the lead, and broad sympathy
which pnts them in fellowship with crowds, and
makes their action popular.
The manners of this class are observed and
caught with devotion by men of taste. The
association of these masters with each other, and
with men intelligent of their merits is mutually
agreeable and stimulating. The good forms. the
happiest EXPRESSIONS Of each, arc repeated and
adopted. BY swift consent, every thing super
auous is dropped, every thing graceful Is renew
3D. Fine manners show themselves formidable
to the uncultivated man. They are eubtler
science of defence TO parry and lnumlmate but
once matched by the skill OF the other party, they
drop the point of the sword,--points and fences
disappear, ana the yonth finds himself IN more
transparent atmosphere, wherein lie Is less
troublesome game, and not Il misunderstanding
rises between the players. Manners ann to IA
clltate life, TO pet rid of impediments, and bilng
the msn pure to energize. They aid our dealng
and conversation, as railway aids travelling, by
getting rid of all avoidable distractions OF the
road, and leaving nothing to be conquered but
pure space. These forms very soon become hxed'
aud a fine sense of propr,ety ID cultivated with
the more heed, that it becomes badge OF social
and civil distinctions. Thus grows up Fashion,
au equivocal semblance, the most puissant, the
most fantastic and frivolous, the most feared and
followed. and which morals and violence assault
in vain.
There exists strict relation between the class
Of power, and the exclusive and polished circles.
~--o-
The strong men usually give some allowance
even to the petulsnces of fashion, for that affinity
they find in it. Napoleon, child of the revolu-
ton DESTROYER of the old noblesse never ceased to
court the Faubourg St. German doubtless with
the feeling, that fashion is homage to men o'
his stamp Fashion, though in strange nay
represents all manly virtue. 1t Is virtue gone to
seed it is kind of posthumous honor. 1t does
not often caress the great, but the children OF the
great: it is a hall of the Past. 1t usually sets
lis face against the great OF this hour. Great
men are not commonly in its halls: they are ao-
sent in the field they are working, not triumph
ing. Fashion is made up OF their children; oil
those, who, through the valse and virtue OF
somebody, have acquired lustre to their name,
marks Of distinction, means of cultivation, and
generosity, and, in their physical organization,
certain health and excellence, which secures 70
them, if not the highest power TO work, yet nigh
power to enjoy. The class of power, the working
heroes, the Cortez, the Nelson, the Napoleon,
as that this is the festivity snd permanent celc.
h'ation OF such as they; that fashion il funded
talent; il Mexico, Marengo, and Trafalgar
beaten out thin that the brilliant names OF fash
ION ron back to Just such busy names Us their
own, fifty or sixty years ago They arc the
sowess, their sons shall be the Ieapers, and their
sons, in the ordinary course of things. must yield
as Possession of the harvest to new competitors
with keener eyes and stronger frames. The city
aasecruited from the country. In the year lS05,
Ills said, every legitimate monarch In Europe
vas inbecile. The city would have died out
Iotsed, and exploded, long ago, bot that 1t vas
teni@ced from the fields. 1t is only country
winch came TO town day before yesterday, that
9ty and court day.
Aristocracy and fashion are certain inevitable
results. These mutual selections are iodestructi.
Us. Ii they provoke anger in the least favored
.ssas, and the excluded majority revenge them
tslses On the excluding minority, BY the strong
asla, aad kill them, at once a new class fines
ssa at the top, as certainly US cream rises in a
%M Of milk; and if the people should destroy
Ssa alter class, until two men only were left,
Sus OF these would be the leader, and would be
VVvo'antsrily served and copied by the other
Ioo may keep this minority out of sight and out