Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-13
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER l3, 1858
CHANGE OF MANNERS.

ANVL OI AIhC.
People who are now forty years Of age very
we'll remember that in their school-days the
practice of politeness, in form at least, was q
requirement uhich none could disregard rih
impunity. No boy entertained such just and
appreciative ideas of the virtue which there is
in the rod and ferule az he who had been guilty
of what the teacher held to be an infraction
of the rules of good manners. When, going
to or reforming from school, the children met
any persons who were their elders, they rang
ed themselves in line upon one side OF the
road and made obeisance. Aud when out IN
the streets during their recess, however Voci-
ferously interested in their pastimes, no trav-
eller made bis appearance whose approach
did not cause an immediate hush OF voices
and suspension Of excitirg sports. The trlb-
ute of a bow was cheerfully paid. and not till
he bad passed beyond their immediate neigh
borhood did they resume their plays. When
thew entered or left the school-ruom, when
they took and retired from the place OF reel
ton, the bow and the courtesy were the pre-
liminary and fuale Of the performance.
Although this practice, in itself consider
ed, was Of little worth, yet as token OF re-.
spectfulness, as q sign Of goodwill, 1t was OF
high value. 1t was an outward manifesto
ton or symbol of an inward state Ur spirit
which il would be we'll for all to possess, and
which should be assiduouSly cultured in the
minds Of the young.
But where, 10 ali our land, does this good
old practice now prevail? Where are the evil
dences in our children Of the possession of
e md IN
regard for their superiors In years aud Wis
don? Who does not know that bows and
courtesies, on the part OF our boys and girls,
are obsolete, both in idea and practice, and
are numbered With the lost arts OF the an'
clients? 1t has been remarked that there are
thousands Of boys in this great country not
one Of wbom has ever made bow, unless
when be he'd occasion to dodge SNOWFALL, a
brickbat, or a boulder"
Some eight or ten winters since e1.Gover'
nor Everett, of Massachusetts, with the late
Amos Lawrence, were 10 asleiga, riding into
Bo,t %. As they approached school house
score of young boys rushed Into the street
to enjoy their afternoon recess. Said the G,v.
ernor to bic friend, LET us observe whether
these bows make obeissnce to us, as We were
taught fifty years ago" At the same time
be expressed the fear that habits OF ciVility
wers less prsctised than formerly. AS they
passed the scbool.house all question and
doubt upon the subject received speedy if
not q satisfactory settlement; for each one OF
those twenty Juvenile New Eoglanders did
his best at SNOW balling the waytaring digni-
taries2
This is perhaps an extreme instance OF the
unfortunate change which fifty years have
wrought in the habits of the young. ln the
language of Mr. Northend, the distinguished
Principal Of the Connecticut State Normal
School, THAT more regard should be mani.
tested by the young to rules to etiquette and
courtesy must, be admitted by every observ-
ing mind. There is too little reverence for
age aud authority; too slight respect to law
OF both man and God. The transition from
boyhood to imagined manhood is altogether
too rapid, as by it the 500 is often placed
above Toe parent, and the taught, become wiser
an their oun estimation, than their teachers.
Boys, in their undue anxiety to become men
are neither men nor boys, but form a
new, peculiar ce."-Eeport Of tie Fer A.
Smith, Commissioner Of Public Schools, Ohio.