Star of the Kanawha Valley. [volume] (Buffalo, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1856, 1855-06-27
Good Manners.

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ter or less extent claims the attention OF
all civilized people, and ofall nations and
time properly devoted to theIsubject can.
not be misapplied. Different countries,
however, regulate their various standards
so that the customs Of some are adverse to
others; yet, there are genertirules 'nVolV'
Ing common politeness(t1at are universal.
~ admired Wherever adopted. Anda
general belief1of this proposition when
united With correct views Of the subject,
go~verv far IN establishing the general
outlines, which may serve the purpose OF
monumental Stand points, by which we
may be guided safcly~ip every special act
but>the acknowledged Prepriety of good
manners, disconnected with correct views
. Of what constitute acceptable 2demeanor,
are the main reasons why so many fall be-
low the standard of their own aspirations.
Such is tie power Of popular custom
that it is unnecessary to urge upon any
the propyiety of adopting any rule or set
/ Of rules that are considered excellent; but
the difficulty consists in properly defining
what constitutes their excellence, and re-
ducing them to practice. The unquench-
able thirst of mankind for distinction in
life, leads them, as a general rule, TO seek
those atlainments and 9 qualifications that
meet the greatest amount Of popular favor,
and an error Of the Judgment in regard to
the manner Of reaching high positions, is
most certain 10 result in a signal failure.
An accomplished education, so called. will
not qualify any man for high places, either
! in private or public associations. unless
chaste and polite manners arc made prom
inent parts Of such education. 4 81. .
However Yaricnt the theories, there arc
two formidable. errors which are too, COM
monty indulgcdin or practiccd on the sub
cct.; These are remote from each other;
and it requires the most vigilant precau'
ton to find the correct intermediate chan
mel and to retain just and appropriate po-
sition in It. The first alluded TO, Is that
cold, formal, and distant reserve. that al
most draws freezing influence over the
mind; and the second is that unjustifable
familiarity which is offensive to the best
principles of refined human nature. And
when we have lcarned'to guard we'll against
any near approach to either Of these two
extremes, the first great lesson is accom-
plished which etiectually leads the way to
a constant practice good manners. Yet
lii is to be observed that every affected ail
Of assumed poitencss is. unnatural and Of
fensive, and therefore should not be en-.
Outraged, or even tolerated. Manners re
late alike to acts and sayings, and in or
der that they be good, they must be tht
subjects Of good motives; hence, sincerity
and simplicity are essential component
parts Of good MAJ ners, when. applied t.
any given conduct Or associations. h.
The foregoing positions are Sustained
by evidence of the accredited declaration
that EVIL communications corrupt gooc
manners" Therefore, measure of NOR
al purity is essential to constitute the mo
tives right, that the manners Of life ma,
be good. The cardinal principles Of gooc
4 manners may be etfectually disseminated
through the various grades of human 50
ciety, and duly practised by any who will
As evidence Of this, 1t is oftef the fac
that they are exemplifod by children
/ But it is nevertheless true that those VIII,
would make the subject an abstract study
never eau become distinguished in thei
requirements; because, in that case, the,
would be more the offspring Of cultivated
art than the association Of the elcmentar,
principles which give life and body to tn
words and actions, without which the!
would he fictitious. True politeness AM
pure elOquencc are very closely allied
they both require the cultivation Of thu
better principles Of the heart, in the high
:, est sense, in order to their perfection.
Those who would excel in the practic
, Of good manners, must be prompted by
noble emulation to exercise, to the fulles
, extent, all the refined principles that ele
: vate and adorn the human character
: The habitual use Of correct and chaste Ian
: guage, associated with strictly upright de
pertinent in all the walks Of life, have
direct tendency to high moral elevation
and will add much to the physical ar
S pcaranee, and prepare the mind 10 fet
r easy in every variety Of respectable assoc
4 atoms; and such cannot fail to be admire
Of all judicious admirers, These are the
|, Fin whom innocence and Independence Al
|, mysteriodsly blended in one, and the
-ithrow a magical influence over al wit
i whom they are associated in life, or cast
! ally thrown into the company Of; an
Is without sny apparent effort upon the