Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-04-25
From Emerson,s Essays:

| The flower Of courtesy does not very
well bide handling, but ii we dare TO open
another leaf, and explore what parts 60 to
its conformation, we shall find also an in
tellectual quality. To the leaders OF men,
the brain, we'll as tie flesh and the
heart, must furnish proportion. Defect
in manners is usually the defect Of fine
perceptions. Men are too coarssjy made
for the deicacy Of beautiful carriage and
customs. Ii is not quite suficien, 10 good
| breeding, a union OF kindness aed indepen-
dence. We imperatively require peg
| ception Of, and a homage to beauty in our
companions. Other virtues are in reqles,
in the field and worlyard, but certain
degree Of taste is not to be spared in those
we sit with. | could better eat with enc
who did not respect the truth or tie laws.
than with slo"en and unpresentable per-
son. Moral qualities rule the world, bu,
at shcrt distances, the senses are des potic
The rot..u tliser;.. :.-t:-s., ~aEt --r..l f.:.
runs Outfit with less rigor, into all parts
of life. The average spirit Of the energetic
/. class is good sense, acting under certain
limitations and 10 certain ends. I: en'ec-
tains every natural gift. Social in its ma
! ture, it respects every thing which tends
to unite men. il delights in measure.
The love Of beauty is mainly the love OF
measure or proportion. The person wro
| screams, or use the supcriaiive degree, or
| convcrses with heat, puts whole drawing
rooms TO flight. ICyou wish to be loved,
love measure. You must have genius
or prodieious usetulness,i il you will hide
the want OF measure. This perez ption
comes in to polish and perfect the parts Of
the social Instrument. Society will par
don much to genius and special gifts but,
being in It's nature a convention, it loves
what is conventional or what belongs 10
coming together. That makes the good
and bad OF manner, name y, what helps Or
binders fellowship. For, fashion is not
good sense as,soltte, but relative, not good
sense private, bat good sense entertaining
company. 1t hates corners and sharp
points OF character; hates q,larel>on1e, ego
tis'ical, solitary, and gloomy people bates
whatever can interfere with total blending
Of parties. whilst it values all pccuiiari-
lies as in Tie highest degree refreshing,
which can consist with good fellowship
And besides the general infusion Of wit 70
heiehten civiiity, the direct splcn;'or Ct
intellectual power is ever welcome in fine
society as The costlcst addition 10 lis rule
and It's credit
The dry ligh, must shine in to adorn
our festival. but il must be tempered and
shaded, or that will also HEe,d. Accura-
cy is essential TO beauty, and quick per-
cep'ons. One may be too purctlal and
too precise. He must leave the onni-
science of business at the door, when he
cosacs into the place of beauty. Society
loves creole natures, and sleepy, langui>h-
ing manners, so that they cover sense,
grace, and good will the air Of drowsy
strength, which disarms criticism; perhaps;
because such a person seems to reserve
himself for the best of the game, and not
spend himself on surfaces an ignoring
eye, which does not see the annoyances,
shifts, and Inconvenience, that cloud the
brow and smuther the voice Of the sensi.
tive.