New-York daily tribune., 1845-05-31
Prevalent idea that Politeness Is TOO great a
Luxury to be given 10 the Poor.

boats that ply from this city, saw young boy poorly
dressed sitting with an infant in his arms on one OF
the benches She observed ina: the child looked
sckly and coughed. This. the day was raw
made her anxious in its behalf. and she wen, to the
boy and asked whether he was alone there with the
baby and If he did no; think the cold breeze dan
cerous for it He replied that he was semi out with
the child to take care of it, and that his father said
the fresh air from the water would do il good
While he made this simple answer. a number OF
persons had collected around TO listen, and one OF
;hcm. we-dressed woman addressed the boy IN
string of such questions and remarks as these;
Wha, is your name? Where do you live {! Are
Won telling us the truth 1t sa shame to have that
baby out in such weather you Il be the death OF IL
TO the bvstanders:j would go and see his mother
and te her abouti, if was sure he had told us the
truth about where he lived How do you expect
to yet back Here, lin the rudest voice somebody
so,.s YOU have not told the truth as to where you
live
The child whose only offence consisted in taking
care of the little one in public, and answering when
he was spoken to, began shed tears at the accusa
tons thus grossly preferred against him. The by
standcrs stared a, both; but among them all there
was not one with sufficiently clearnotons OF pro-
priety and moral energy TO say to this impudcn'
qucslioner, "W Woman do you suppose because
you wear handsome shawl and that boy patched
jacket that you have any right speak to hm at all
unless he wishes it, far less to prefer against him
those rude accusations. Your yulgarity is unen-
durable; leave the place or alter your manner.
Many such instances have we seen OF insolen;
rudeness or more insolcnt afability founded on no
apparent grounds except an apparent difference In
pecunary position, for no one can suppose IN such
cases the offending party has really enjoycdth bcnc
Fit OF refined education and society, but all present
c; them pass as matters OF course 1t sad TO sec
how the poor would endure-nortifying to see how
the purse proud dared offend Anexcellent man who
was in his early years missionary 10 the poor used
to speak afterwards with great shame OF the manner
in which ne had conducted himself towards thcm-
| When | recolect - said he, the freedom with
which entered their houses inquired into ali their
affairs, commented on their conduct and disputed
their statements wonder Twas never horsewhipped
and feel that ought 10 have been; it would have
| done Inc good, for l needed as severe lesson on
the universal obligations of politeness III It's only
genuine form of respect for man man. and delicate
| sympathy with each in his peculiar position
! Charles Lamb who was indeed worthy TO be
called human being from those refined sympathies'
said. You call him gentleman does his washer
woman find him so 2" We may say, if she did SO,
she found him man, neither treating her with vul.
CUR abruptncss, nor giving himself airs of conde-
sccndng velincss but treating her with that genu-
me respect which feeling of equality inspires.
To doub; the vcracity of another is insult
which in most ciuui-ed communities must IN the so
called higher classes be atoned for by blood but III
\ those same communities, the men will with
! tie utmost lightncss doubt the truth of one who
wears ragged coat, and thus do ali they can TO in
jurc and degrade him by assang his sclirespcct
aud breaking the feeling of personal honor-a
wound to WHICH hurts man as wound TO lis bark
| does tree.
| Then how rudcy are iavors conferred, just as a
bone is thrown 10 a dog. a gentleman indeed will
not do Mat without accompanying signs OF sympa-
ty and regard. Just az this woman said Z" If you
have told the truth will go and see your mother, :
are many acts performed on which the actors pride
themselves as kiad and charitable.
All men might learn from the French in these mat
tcrs That people. whatever be their faults are really
wcll-bred and many acts might be quoted from their
romantic annals. where gifts were given from rich to
poor with graceful courtesy. equally honorable
! aud delightful 10 the civcr and the receiver.
| In Catholic countries there is more courtesy, for
Charity is there duty, and must be done for God $
sake; there is less room for man TO give himself
the Pharisaica tone about it. a rich man is not so
surprised TO find himself in contact with poor one
nor is the custom Of kncclng the open pavement.
the silk robe close 10 the beggar's rags. without
profit The separation by pcws even on the day
when all meet nearest is as bad for the manners as
| the soul.
Blessed be he or she who has passed through this
world, not only with an open purse and willingness
To render the aid of mere outward benefits, but with
an open eye and open heart, ready 10 cheer the
downcast and enlshtcn the dull by words of com
fort and looks oflovc The waysidc charities are
| the most valuable both as TO sustaining hope and
diilusing knowledge, and none render them
who has not an expansive nature, heart alive 10
affection, and some true notion however impcrfcc,v
| developed of the nature of human brotherhood.
Such an one can never sauce the given meat with
taun,s freeze the bread by cold glance of doubt
|
back into the mud by any kind ofrudencss.
In the little instance with which we begun no help
'r0s asked, unless by the sight of the iimid little
boys old jacket. But the license which this seemed
10 the wcllclothcd woman 10 give TO rudcness was
50 characteristic of deep fault now existing that 4
volume OF comments might follow and host of
anccda,os be drawn from almost any ones expert.
ence in exposition oft These few words, perhaps,
may awaken thought in those who have drawn
tears from others eyes through an ignorance brutal
bat not hopclessly 50, ii lhey are willing 10 rise
above it X
- Capt Coffin, late of the whale ship Thule. .
Of Nantucket, arrived nj New Bedford on Wednes-
day, relates the following particulars of the loss of
his ship;
The Thule had been % months out and obtained 1850
bbls, oil when, AT ~ minutes past O'Clock the
ing OF the ll,h Scpcu Der she struck shoal no; laid
down on the chart, 30 miles w. " w. from the Booby
4 -.