Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-01-20
TRUE GENTEEINESS.


"Gentcel-polite, well-Lrei, deco
rous. free from vulgarity. elegant in
behavior or dress, graceful in men,
refined, polished"
Such is the definition given by
Worcester of the word "genteelness."
There is no word more frequently
used by our fashionable circles than
the word gcntecl. Gcntccl dresses,
gcntecl capcs and fringes, gentccl
hats and gloves, genteel parties, gem
tecl rides. and gcntecl people, arc as
thick as blackbcrries or grasshoppcrs
in their season in the mouths Of cer-
tain classes. who claim to be the lead
ers in our towns and cities, in what is
termed our first society.
In this country, where we have no
titled arisiocracy, no sons of primo
geniturc or accredited noble blood, and
where industry, energy, genius, or
good luck, or whatever will give a
man wealth, will give him position,
we have a large amount of vulgar
"genteelness people who are striv-
ing to gain a place in what is called
first society,"" without being able to
boast of owning one item in the above
list to give them the title to the posi-
ton. Raised suddenly by some unex-
pccted turn of the wheel of fortune to
wealth from poverty, the maid of the
kitchen to-day becomes mistress of the
mansion tomorrow, and knows no
other way to secure and keep a foot
hold in the ranks she so covets but to
dress in their uniform and to endeavor
to keep step with them wherever their
extravaganza or folly may lead, with
ont knowing how she assumes their
'airS," which tit her about as grace
fully as the pcacock's feathers did the
jacklaw in ollcn time.
Such persons are always trembling
and fearing lest they lose their posi-
tion. Mrs. Grnnly ly, by a shake OF
her finger, would make them turn pale
with alright; Mrs. So-and-so rules
them by hirt of her fan. "She is so
gcntccl," that they must follow her,
no matter how much it costs. Truly
genteel people. those who possess the
attributes of character required 10y
Worcester, those who are "politc.
well-brel. AMI from vulgarity. etc. y
walk without fear. They stand self
poised in every society, well knowing
that the good aud the true will re.og-
MIA them for the good and the true
that is in themselves. They have No
apprehcnsions that dress worn two
seasons, or bonnet in last years rib.
bonS, can tumble them down, or a hat
from Gcnin's or mantilla from Bul.
pins lift them up.
Just in proportion as fortunes ar,
more easily made in any country. will
be the amount Of snobhishncss or vul.
gar gcnteelncss, which will annoy our
taste or Kite our mirth-of women
! (perhaps should say lalies) J, who
wearing six hounccs with deep trim.
mings, who flourish and rustic moirt
antiques, Honiton lace kerchicfs and
scented fans, who change hats and
! plumes four times a year. and nevel
allow themselves to lose sight for one
moment of the most punctilions cti.
qucite, who still, like Mrs. Partington
make most egrcgious blundcrs, and
talk abeut their having position with
the "hypocracy of the city," "thc i'm
mense ordnance at the lecture or op.
era,' send their sons to college to
study cal algeJer." and dilate upon THEN
fondness for Greek and Latin authors
especially Shakespeare and Shelby.
Such persons for the most part
make out flashy fashionable people
who appear on the streets in the morn
ing in full dress, who never go tC
church but with a display, which
should be only tolerated at an evening
party, or on some gala day. The,
are the people that turn the heads o
our weak minded girls, who snub thei
old friends who go out sewing for {
living, and cut, without even so mucl
as look, the companions of thei
kitchen life few months or year.
lagone. There is plenty Of hauseul
among all classes of wealthy people
toward those beneath them in place
and position; but those of all others
who hold their elevation by the uncer
tain tenure of dollars and cents, arr
the most apt to put on airs, and arr
the most ridiculous.
The truly noble soul is always no
ible. in poverty or wealth. and many I
kitchen girl holds within herself al
the elements of true lady. Lift he
up, she is ST II humble, gentle, self
sustained, vet even unostcntaticus