Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-07
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL !, 1883,
THE LITTLE COURTESlESO OF LIFE.
"a kindly word, a pleasant SMILE
A. k.,,ar Tor than golu -

n hluuiy "oiN' -
Are better far than gold.
A friend some time since, came to us and
expressed great annoyance at "hat ne re.
paIded a. an act OF marked olscouttesy on
the mart of a gifted aud omplished gentle
man, to whom he had rendered valuable
service. He was quite excited at the time,
not that he cared SO much for the circun,-
stance, but because it was calculated to dim
the high picture which be bad formed in his
mind of the nature of the mao. lie had set
him up as the model OF Christian gentle
man, the very embodiment of finished,
polished, graceful and disnihed character
And yet, to his surprise, be founu that ne
lacked one Of the great essentials. namely
common courtesy, or ordinary pnliteness.--
10 other words, be had either refused or de-
cliped to answer nOts that hau Deen
sent TO him on bis own business, and this re-
fusal was kept up for days. unul 1t became
necessary to refresh his memory aud ooer
one or two sharp admonltory remarks. but
this ia no extraordinary case. 1t Is but one
of thousands. The little courtesies OF daily
life, the kindly and graceful amenities which
are 90 admirably calculated to sweeten the
relations between man aud man, and to I'M
part genial spirit to our social every day 10
tercourse, are too frequently neglected. We
either forget, or we overlook them. we DO
not sufficiently appreciate sels-respeNS. or the
feelings and good wishes of others. This is
the more culpable, for courtesy and kindness
are a, the command of all classes-the poor
as well as rich, the humble rs we'll as the ell
evated There are some persons who never
think it worth while to reply to note or an
invitation, unless some especial business
matter be involved. There are others asaln,
who never omit such an act OF courtesy ana
dury. In the first case, Observation-Disclosures
irritations aud unkindnesses will inevitably
occur, and in the last, all these Will be AVOID
ed, Some one has observed, truly and forel-
bly. that the little courtesies OF lie should
be regarded as among the minor virtues, ana
their practice should be encouraged and Guilt
waited from early youth. What, indeed, could
be more delightful than the interchange OF
c;viiity. kindness, and good will, on all pro
ner occasions between friends and neighbors!
What is 50 calculated to soften the ragged
path of existence, and to give to The human
heart agreeable feelings! Some time since
gentleman and lady we're betrothed, and The
proposed union was looked upon 10 the most
approving manner by the parents OF ooth par
ties.
1t so happened that the former had oe,
cason to visit Europe, and to remain ABROAD
something like six months. He wrote home
elaborstely, or few words, by every packet;
Int during the whole of this period, be re-
ceived but three letters in reply, and OF q
character 50 brief, as to show that the lar
correspondent took very little interest either
thn oh. Uhnm
epistles were addressed. The effect was to
annoy, irritate, create a GOODNESS, and hna!'
IL 10 break of the match. The truth Is,
no one likes to be treated either with indii'
ference or contempt. A sense OF seii-prioe
revolts against such conduct. The courtesy
we extend to others, we naturally ana pre-
perly desire to see extended to ourselves IN
return. Reciprocity is the very soul OF bar
mony, friendship, and good feeling. sen.
sitiye individual may be aegrieved and
wounded, Just as readily by indifference and
neglect, as BY an open and studied insult
Bv courtesy, we do not mean sffectation. ho!,
low pretence, shallow hypocrisy, and artificial
manners. On the contrary, these are all
miserable counterfeits. But We refer to a
genial, generous, and kindly spirit. a sense OF
appreciatiou, a recognition of equality, a
truthful air, and frank and manly bear
ing. Not day goes by. in which all these
Qualities cannot be exhibited more or less,
esnecially in the sphere, and among the
friends with whom we move and mingle.-
There ia, on the other hand. nothing more
unworthy. uomaOly, pitiasle and and n mean IN,
suit, not directly perhaps, but indirectly
those who 10 come sense may seem 10 Ut
dependent upon US, or whom. iu the exer
cise Of false pride, we may imagine We car
outrage with impunity. The little co1r,es'e'
of life never sbiue 80 sweetly or brightly, a.
when they are manifested by the rich towards
the poor. or ty the powerful towards th'
weak They then become grace and em
bellisbu ent of the character, and while they
adorn the one party with moral lnstre, they
t;ndle in the hearts Of the other, feelings
Kindness, affection, and goodwill. Blu
courtesy is never out of place. 1t is nevel
thrown away. 1t always has it's effect, ant
Sometimes ii tells far more efhclent'9 than
N -