Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-06-04
CHARITIES AND HUAfOUR.
BY WILLIAM MAKEpEAcE TuAcKERAY.

OfAddson's contributions to the charity of tho
world, have spoken before, in trying to depict
that noble figure; and say now, as then, that we
should thank him, as one OF the greatest bene-
factors of the vast and imineasurably spreading
family which speaks common tongue.
Wherever it is spoken, there is no man that does
not feel and understand and use the noble En-
glish word, gentleman" And there is no man
that teaches US to be gentleman better than 10
seph Addison. Gentle is our bearing through
life; gentle and courteous to cur neghbor; gentle
in dealing with his follies and weaknesses; gentle
in treating his opposition; deferenta to the old.
kindly to the poor, and those below us in degree
for people above us and below us we must find,
in whatever hemisphere we dwell, whether kings
or presidents govern u.s. and in no republic or
monarchy that know of, is citizen exempt
from the tax Of befIiendng poverty and weak !!
ness, OF respecting age, and Of honoring his faith
er and mother. 1t has just been whispered to
mel have not been three months in the eoun-
try, and, OF course, not venture to express an
opinion of my own-that, in regard to paving
this latter tax of respect and honor to age, some
very few of the Republican youths are occasion
ally little remisS have heard of young Sons
of Freedom publishing their Declaration of indie
pendence before they could we'll spell it; and cut
ting the connection between father and mother
before they had learned to shave. My own time
of life having been stated by various enlightened
from fortyfve to sixty, cheerfully own that
belong to the Eogy interest, and ask leave TO rank
in, and plead for, that respectable class. Now
gentleman can but be gentleman, in Broadway
or the backwoods, in Pail Mall or California: and
where and whenever he lives thousands of miles
away in the wilderness, or hundreds of years
hence, am sure that reading the writings of this
true gentleman, this true Christian this noble o-
seph Addison must do him good. lie may take
Sir Roger dc Coverley to the Dggings with him,
and learn to be gentle and good humored and
urbane, and friendly in the midst of that struggle
in which his life is engaged. | take leave to say
that the most brilliant youths Of this city may
read over this delightful memorial of by-gone
age, of fashions long passed away, of manners
long since changed and modified; of noble gen
tleInen. and great, and brilliant and polished
society; and find in it much to charm and polish.
to refine and instruct him. A courteousness,
which can be put out of place at no time, and
under no flag. politeness and simplicity,
truthful manhood, gentle respect and Difference,
which may be kept as the unbought grace of life.
and cheap defense of mankind, long after its old
artificial distinctions, after periwigs, and small
swords, and rufifes, and red heeled shoes, and
titles, and stars and carriers have passed away.
I'll tell you when have been put in mind of
two ofthe finest gentlemen books bring us any
mention of. l mean oar books (nOt books of his
tory, but books of humor). I'll tell you when L
of the noble knight Sir Roger de Coverley Manor.
of tho noble Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha,
here in our own omnihus-carriages and railway
cars, When have seen woman step in, hand
some or not, well dressed or not and workman
in hob-nail shoes, or dandy in the height of the
fashion, rise up and give her his place. l think.
Mr.. Spectator with his short face, if he had seen
much deed of courtesy, would have smiled IA
sweet smile to the doer of that gentlemanlike ac-
ton, and have made him a low bow from under
his great periwg, and have gone home ana writ
ten pretty paper about him.
When humor joins with rhythm and music,
and appears in Its influence is irresistible its
charities are countless, 1t stirs the feelings 10 love-
peace, friendship, as scarce any moral agent can.
The songs of Beranger hymns of love and
tenderness; have seen great whskered French
men warbling the 'bonne Vieille,n the "Soldats
au pas, an pas, with tears rolling down their
moustaches. At Burns's Festival, | have seen
Scotchmen singing Burns while the drops twink
led on their furrowed cheeks: while each rough
hand was flung out to grasp its neighbor S; while
early scenes and sacred recolections, and dear
and delightful memories of the past came rushing
back at the sound Of the old familiar words