The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-04-27

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[For the Literary Echo.
POIiteness and Good Breeding.
"Politeusss," says president Withsr-
spoon 81 real kindness, kindly express
ed" What an admirable definition
the sum and'substance of all true polite
ness. 1t is uniform disinterestedness in
trifes, accompanied by the calm self.
possession which belongs to a noble
simplicity Of purpose, and this should
be the effect of a Christian spirit run
ming through all We do, say or think, and
unless it is cultivated and exercised on
all occasion s, it never will become natural
and easy for US. 1t is not thing to be
put on and laid aside at pleasure. 1t
must always 60 with us, or never. When
we attempt to assume it for any partic-
ular purpose, it will sit awkwardly and
ungraccfully, or perhaps fail us the mo-
ment We should least wish it to do so.
If one is not polite to those with whom
he is daily associated, there is great
danger Of his not being so to a friend
before whom be wishes to appear par
ticularly interesting. A polite manner
does much toward making friends. 1t
is particularly becoming to youth and
covers many faults. Who does not i'm
mediately chose for friend and COM
panion one who is refined and agreeable
in manners, before one who is coarse and
lowless. BY pleasant word, a kind
action, or a cheerful smile, hatred is
turned into love, temper may be sub
dued, and the darkest path frightened.
We should strive to cultivate polite
ness toward our superiors. We should
remember that nothing can justify a
want of respect towards parents or
teachers. 1t is due to all that we should
treat them with respect and the more
proper our manners are, the greater will
be our influence. Politeness is due our
equals as we'll as to superiors. We
should never pass by unimproved an op-
portunity for doing them favor or a
kind action-always speak kindly and
politely to our companions, and also to
our interiors. Just as We treat a SER
want or poor person, 80 in some mea-
sure will be our manner toward others
. with whom we shall be in society. But
above all should we reverence the aged
, and inirm. Any one who would inten-
! tionally offer the least insult to an aged
, person, or laugh at their misfortunes
however humble may be their station in
life, is not fit to associate with the gooc
!, and virtuous. We may think that a.
their faculties become impaired, the
[ memory weakened, and the mind less
: vigorous, that such little rudeness as an
!, unkind word, or some thoughtless action
will not be noticed or needed by them
but if they should live for "a while with
an aged person, and observe how keenly
b they feel every harsh word, how the.
mourn and gricve over the slightest in
t jury, they would surely conclude tha
/. the "heart had not grown DID," ant
). never again would they speak harshly t.
d them, or do anything to wound thei
!. sensitive feelings.
h True politeness is very essential t
\ the transaction of all kinds of business
~ in our associations with every one, hig
d or low, rich or poor. "It is talisma
70 Of great power to smooth your way alon
N the rugged paths of life, and to tur
. towards you the best side Of all 20
\ meet" JAR.
Mystic Academy.