New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-11-08
THE TRIBUNE
MANNERS.

ScUu ulciil lutO SUfSuuy, lS It's Qe;
light We contemn, IN turn, every other gift of;
men of the world; but the habit even in little
and the least matters, of not appealing to any but
our own sense of propriety, constitutes the foun-
dation OF ali chivafy. There is almost no kind
of selErelisnce, so it be sane and proportional,
which fashion does not occasionally adopt, and
give it the freedom of it's saloons. A sainted
soul is always elegant, and, if it will, passes un-
challenged into the most guarded ring. But SO
will Jock the teamster pass, In some crisis that
brings him thther, and find favor, as long as his
head is not giddy with the new circumstance,
and the iron shoes do not wish to dance in values
and cotillons, For there is nothing settled in
manners, but the laws of behavior yield to the
energy of the individual. The maiden at her
first ball, the counryman at city dinner, be-
lieves that there is ritual according to which
every act and compliment must be performed, or
the falling party must be cast out of this presence.
Later, they learn that good sense and character
make their own forms every moment, and speak
or abstain take wine or refuse 1t, stay or CO. BIT
in chair or sprawl with children on The floor, or
stand on their head, or what else soever, in a
new and aboriginal way: and that strong will is
always in fashion, let who will be Questionable.
Ali that fashion demands is composure, and
selfcontent. A circle of men perfectly well
bred would bea company Of sensible persons, IN
which every mans native manners and character
appeared. If the fnshioDist have not this quality,
he is nothing. We are such lovers of sef-reli-
aBce, that we excuse in man many sins, If he
will show US tomplete satisfaction In his posi-.
ton, which asks no leave TO be, of mine, or any
mans good opinion, Blu. any Difference to some
eminent man or woman Of the world, forfeits all
privilege OF nobility. He is an underling: have
nothing TO Go with him; | will speak with his
l.,
carry his whole sphere or society with him,-not
bodily, the whole circle of his friends, but at
unexpectedly. He should preserve in new
company the same attitude OF mind and reality
of relation, which his daily associates draw him
to, else he is shotn of his best beams, and will be
an orphan in the merriest club. "If you couid
see Vich Ian Vohr with ms tail Oh -" But
Vich Ian Vohs must always carry his belongings
in some fashion, ii not added as honor, then
served as disgrace.
There will always be in society certain per-
sons who are me1curies Of it's appreciation, and
whose glance will at any time determine for the
curious their standing in the world. These are
the chamberlains of the lesser gods. Accept
their GOODNESS as omen of grace with the loitler
deities and allow them all their privilege. They
are clear in their Office, nor could they be thus
formidable, without their own merits. But do
not measure the Importance of this class by their
pretenson, or imagine that fop can be the dis
penser of honor and shame. They pass also at
their just rate; for how can they otherwise, in cir
Giles which exist as sort Of heralds office for the
sitting of character
AS the first thing man requires of man, is
reality, 30, that appears in all the forms of 50.
ciety. We Pointedly, and by name, introduce
the parties to each other. Know you before all
xlok<, oy,lf h-o
is Gregory they look each other in the eye;
they grasp each others hand, to identify and
signalze each other. 1t is great satisfaction.
A gentleman never lodges his eyes look straight
forward, and he assures the other party, first of
all, that he he's been met. For what 10 it that
we seek, in 10 many visits and Inequalities Is
it your drapsries, pictures, and decorations2 Or,
do we not insatiably ask, Was man in the
house7 / may easily go into great household
where there is much substance, excellent pro-
vision for comfort, luxury, and taste, and yet not
encounter there any Amphitryon, who shall SUBJ
ordinate those appendages. Imay GO into cot
tage, and find farmer who feels that he IS the
man have come to see, and frents me accord
ingly. 1t was therefore very natural point OF
old feudal etiquette, that gentleman who re-
ceived VISIT though it were OF his Sovereign
should not leave his roof, but should wait MS
arrival at the door of his house. No mouse,
though it were the Tuilleries, or the Escurlal Is
good for any thing without master. AND yet
we are not often gratifed by this hospitality.
Ever body we know surrounds himself with a
fine house, fine books, conservatory, gardens,
eouipape, and all manner of toys, as screens to
interpose between himself and his guest Does
it not seem as if man was of very sly, elusive
nature. and dreaded nothing 80 much as full
rencontre front to front with his fellow 1t were
unmerciful, know, quite to abolish the uss OF
these screens, which are OF eminent convenience,
whether the guest is too great, or too little. we
cali together many friends who keep each other
in play. or, BIZ luxuries and ornaments We amuse
the Young people, and guard our retirement. Or
if, paYohance, u searching realist comes to our
gate, before chose eye we have no care to STAND,
then again we run to our curtain, and hlde our
selves as Adam at the voice OF tho Lord Ged IN
the garden. CARDINAL Csprara, the Peoples ie-
cate at Paris, defended himself from the glances
of Napoleon, by an immense pair OF green spec
tacles. Napoleon remarked them, and speedily
managed to rally them off and yet Napoleon, in
his turn, was not great enough with eight hum
dyed Thousand troops at his back, to face pair
of ireeporn eyes, but fenced himself with eti-
ouette. and with triple barriers Of reserve: and,
IA all the woild knows fiom Madame de Stael,
was wont, when he found himself observed, to
discharge his face of all expression. But EN-
perors and rich men are by no means the most
sklful masters of good manners. No rent-roil
nor army.list can dignity skulking and dissimu-
lation and the first point Of courtesy must al
ways be truth, as really all the forms of good
breeding point that way.
have just been reading in Mr.. Hazlit,'s
translation, Montaienes account of his journey
into Italy, and am struck with nothing moro
agrecably than the self respecting fashions OF the
time. His arrival in each place, the arrival of
gentleman of France, is an event of some con.
sequence. Wherever he goes, he pays visit
to whatever prince or gentleman of note resides
upon his road, as duty to himself and to civil
zation. When he leaves any house in which he
has lodged for few weeks, he causes his arms
TO be painted anu hung up as a perpetual sign to