The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-08-13
CAROLINA SPARTAN.
For tho Carolina Spartan.
ORIGI N AL ESSAY
aWHaT CONSTITUTES, A LADTr

3 = ! sWHhI 2CUNNflEUikN LABI. s
The observable.disiinctions between the
most civilized races of mon, and those which
are rude and ducultivated, viii DO found to
consist chiefly in personal manners and
modes Of social life.
That which distinguishes q man of true
refinement and gentle culture from him
who Is unrefned, unpublished aud ignorant.
so Tar aa mere oatward manifestations 90, is
found to consist in little things-in the ac-
tions-the gait---ihe countenance, and the
sumberless itoms which enter into thechar-
actsr Of cue personal manners.
The polite world have attached difinite
insaning to the words-gca.lcman and lady,
by which these terms arc made,to Include
an sssemblsge-a combination Of elements
and qualifications, which It would be iex.
oeedingly difficult to describe or reuamerate;
but which, Notwithstanding, every person
Of ordinary intelligence perfectly aud readi.
iy understands.
These words mean something more
chan a distinction Of sex: they mean more
than discrimination between the rich and
the poor; they mark more important distinc-
TONS than those between the lord Of the
manor and the peasant ploughuan, who
cultiyates tho soil. Indeed, the peasant
may DO in no mean sense a gentleman,
while the owner of tho castle might be
marrow, coarse and vulgar specimen of the
geaus kose. may refer now TO Miss
Cooks admirable poem on aNa,ure's Gen.
tlensan" for a most accurate and truthful de-
Iineation Of those characteristics of gcstiisty
in the rougher sex; and, as these hasty obsor--
-yatiops atedcsigned mainly Cor the beueft of
the fairer and gentler portionof humanity,
may devote the limo to a running sketch
of Che points most noteworthy in tho char
acter Of lady.
The strict and habitual observance Of the
external department Of a LADY becomes ca,
sy and natural in those eases where the
heart is gentle, and pure, aud good.
Not only our words. but our actions and
mannars, flow out from the heart, and par
take Of its nature aud character, as the
stream proceeds from its fountain.J
- But independently Of the particular state
OF the moral being, culture and care, edu-.
cation and habit may accomplish much in
the work Of deportment.p ~
i Without attempting any very systematic
or philosophical method of enumeraiing
sone ef the marks and evidences Of true
gentilitym woman, shall proceed TO note
q few of these characteristics as they may
suggest themselves to my mind.
l. The first which occurs to nae, is Sim.
pieity. A lady never, preteuds 10 state Of
feeling which she docs not really expert
ence.- She does not a6eel an accomplish
snent she does not possess. She does not
assume sfriondship not acknowledged at
heart. - He& '~S
While she seeks 10 treat eyoy one with
politeness---which is nothing nItre than
proper. regard for tho feelings OF q fellow
bcing-she will not mislead any acquaint
ance by an alfeetation Of regard wlIich the
heart disowns.
Simplicity requires us to be what We
seem, and To seem what we are. All affec-
tation is Incompatible with that beautiful
simplicity of character, so charming in her
TO whom we award the qualities OF per-
feet lady.
2. The next index Of true refinement and
perlec.ion, in the character Of lsiy, is Sin.
cerity.
Truthfulness, frankness, and reliability,
are integral aud essential elements in that
eorones OF virtues which crowns the genu.
inc lady.
This virtue implies faithfulness in friesd.
ship. 1t implies that simple truth aud
honesty OF purpose arc the motive to on
words and cur actions. II excludes all |
mere p'etsnsion and double-dealing. L
Is glass, in which and through which our
friends read our hearts, and estimate our
Il scorns all artfal disguise,
and ezecrates all betrayal of confdencs, and
all sreachery ia social intercourse. 1t isl
closely allied to another virtue, which We
notice as third element in the character Of
. iady--a sacred aud uudeviatiog regard
IN ~