Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-16
[FRoM THE RALEIGH (N. c.) DEAF Mu1E.l
APPRECIATION.

This term, which is in such general use, is rathe
difficult to define. Perhaps the cearest exposition o
its meaning may be found in the proposition tina
Alteration bears the same relation to manners ant
stvle that Hypocrisy bears to morals and religion
Sill il must be admitted that The two words, or rather
the tw ideas are apt invade each others domains
as false manners often conflict with rulh and false
moral too frequently counenances the perverslon o.
naive good breeding. Manners have oeen Justly de-
nominated the mirror OF morals because hey are alle
all but the manifestation OF our feelings III the
daily intercourse of life. The prevalence oil aheca-
ton is an evil we cannot but deplore. 1t Is constant
Iy on the increase as luxury and wealth prevail, and
threatens 10 pervade every ramlicailon oil society,"
LIE, us view il in several of its more common phases
This habit has, according to The general opinion
manifested itself most obviously IN The behavior o
fashionably educated young ladies'. The mncing
gait, the lisping pronunciation, the smal!erIng o
! French. and the habit of laughing al every remark
iudiscriminaely are its ordinary signs. The young
nerson who wishes TO make an impression upon so.
cie,y that she has formed her manners by the most
approved models, forgetting that the most ungalnly
and homely of her sex are sometimes the shrewdesi
of her critics, i, apt TO 60 bey ond the originals she
undertakes 10 initiate, and 10 exaggerae their sup
posed reinemen,s, that The artiice becomes evident
to the most superficial observers She talks OF noh-
ing but operas and balls, she sibgs IN tone and style
as foreign as she can imagine and dresses according
to the latest importation from Paris But these are !he
grosser and more disgusting forms OF anec'auon
which all easily recognize, and which all sooer-Inind-
ed people despise There are however, certain slight
er shades of the same thing that are found every
where, and vet are very difficult! OF deleclIon. All
Of us are apt to adopt some habit which has pleas
ed lis in others. and endeavor in spite ol nature 10
make i, our own Some elegant movement or some
extra sweetness of one some form oil expression uia'
sounds like an emanalion from the rehned Amos
phere Of coury elevations, IS almost uhdesgheoiv
adopled, and becomes habit OF our own which ON
ers see to be unnatural, and feel 10 be unpleasant.
Gentlemen are not altogether Tree IRON lhis pre-
yailing species of ar6ce The very low DOW, 'iie
pompous strut The air OF ease when Is inahhesuy
sneit. are familiar illustrations. Ii must be admit
ted however. that in ordinary social intercourse the
manly feeling rebels againt borrowed forms, and IN
duIges itself in what is equally annoying, an original
tendency 10 eccenlricy. II is in pubic exhibitions
of b,mself that the man most commonly resorts 10
artificial mannersm and condescends 10 copy me
exceIlencies and faults of others Nowhere Is this
evil more frequently met with than IN the pulpit
Readiug is nerlormed with measured cadence and
a,,I,tary precision that often violates The undersahG
inc and taste of those who listen, and the slyie Oh
delivering sermons becomes so much mater OF
rouuehat one accustomed to hear ihe speaker mighI
almost indicate before hand when csf!an changes oi
manner might be expected. ;,
Wherever it is seen, aaccalion has dlsagreeaole
effect u2on those who witness it. II inevitably oe-
,rays The fact that self occupies prominent place IN
the thoughts of the actor. is often INDUCED from
al effort to please, but then il for the sake oi SELL
Il never springs from genuine interest IN 'he COM
for, of others which would lead us 10 iorget our
selves, and be thoughtful only OF those IN whose
company we may be. All attempts 10 appear more
polished, more witty, or more 'learheu anu eo4ueh'
than we are, proceed from an oVerweehihg "
the mpressions we NAV make upon those around US,
and are easily distinguished, in principle at leaslrom
tho oen,Ieness and sweetness OF true benevoence.-
The noet Cowper, has expressed in strong but not
,oo emnhac language, the adherence oi rightly
thinking mind, anu lhe a'efeio" Vi pun '"S' '
this depIorable vice.
In man or woman, but far most IN man,
And most of all in man that ministers
And serves the altar, in my soul, loahe
All Affec,aiion. 'Iis my perfect scrorn
Object of my mpacabIe disgust.
What! will man play tricks, Will ne lnduige
silly fond conce of his fair form,
And lust proportion, fashionable meln,
And pretty face, in presence OF his Uodf
Or will he seek to dazzle me with tropes
As with the diamond on his lilly hand,
And play his brilliant part before my eyes
When am hungry for the bread OF llfeF
If those who are addicted to this habit only knew
low unnaluraly it sits upon them,and how apparent
is the vanity which prompts il, they would take care
10 ascertain their talent for imitation before they
would undertake TO show themselves offIo advantage
in the plulnes and habments Of others. Prohclen';
in the arr would be conten! to appear before mankind
in their own natural manner. The theatre should
have It's own, aud the line of demarcalIon be DIS
,incy drawn between the real and the fe'gnea'-
Truth is precious, and it is no less our duty to act
than 10 speak in accordance with 1t. "