Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-11-17
True Gentility VS.. Baboonism.
cAUsTlc CLUB NO. vi.


Tn our observations upon the various pha-
sea that society exhibits, we often meet with
circumstances and phenomena, that at once
amuse US, and furnish food for profitable re-
aecton. With nothing have we been more
diverted. than with contrasting the effects
produced By different individuals upon a
company met for social enjoyment, by reason
Of their different styles of address and deport-
ment. and our observations have led US TO
adopt as true the maxim Of Lord Chesterfield,
that "manners make the man." though, We
must confess, the arts Of pleasing most efec-
tive in these latter days, are, by no means
similar to those so attractively unfolded by
the celebrated wit and adept in politeness, to
whom We have just referred.
We were once present at little social
gathering made up Of the acknowledged elite
Of highly refined community, when our at
tention was forcibly attracted by two person
sges who were the very antipodes Of each
other; and, at the expense Of being considered
shockingly dry" and voted bore, by the
company, we fastened our entire regards for
the evening upon the twain. Our Observa-
tons were not without fruit, and added one
more to our small stock Of anthrOpological
tru,hs-we came away from that party, thor
oughly convinced that in order to shine as
star Of any considerable magnitude in polite
society, it is necessary to forfeit all claims to
be esteemed a man Of sense, by adopting the
ridiculous antics Of a Merry Andrew, or Of
baboon
One Of these individuals was emphatically
gentleman in every sense Of the term.
Every movement was instinct with dignity and
grace-every word, in its accent, pronuncia-
tion and fitness to convey the idea in view,
discovered mind highly cultivated by severe
study, and taste classically elegant and ex-
act-eyery speech abounded with noble sem
timent, with poetic beauty or sound philoso-
phic truth. In the benevolent, yet vivacious
expression Of the countenace might be seen
a disposition eminently companionsble-at
once ready to impart enjoyment to others,
and kindly alive to the pleasurable influence
flowing from a refined social intercourse. Not
10 be prolix, he was one whose claims TO res
pect and admiration, would be Immediately
recognized BY any appreciative company into
which he might be thrown. We we're peculi-
arly struck with the air Of gentility and good
breeding with which he entered the room and
paid his greetings to the host and hostess, as
we'll as to the assembled guests; and from the
animation that sparkled on his features, we
naturally argued that be would contribute his
full share TO the entertainment Of the evening
He naturally seated himself and, after the
usual chit-chat on the state of the weather
&c, entered into a conversation on general
topics in which he so happily blended grace
ful pleasantly with solid instruction, and 50
adorned everything hs said BY the charm Of
bis manner that all we're content TO become
and, from the quiet smile that play
ed upon the countenance Of each. it was evi-
dent that his conversation was highly interes-
ting. We we're silently contemplating the
calm enjoyment in which each member Of the
company seemed to participate. and thanking
God for the blessings Of conversation when,
just as our agreeable companion was
reaching the climax Of one of bis most eloquent
passages, all the ladies jumped up from their
eats, and clapping their hands in transports
'f delight and emulating one another in the
Icudness and shullness of their tones, cried
out at the top Of their voices. Yonder
comes Mr.. NincOmpOOp," "YOnder comes Mr..
Nincompoop;" and for several minutes moth
ING could be heard save the euphonious name \
OF MIR. NincOmPoop syllabled by fair lips 7
with every variety Of tone and moduation. J
Forthwith, our quiet. pleasant little circle I
was broken up, and he who had been delight \