The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1859-01-20
True Gcnteelness.
By MRS. F. d. GAGE.

Genteel--polite, well-bred decorous free
from vulgarity, elegant in behavior or dress,
graceful 10 mien, refined, polished"
Such is the definition given by Worcester of
the word "genteeness.'
There is no word more frequently used sy
our fashionable circles than the word genteel.--
Genteel dresses, gentee capes and. frnges, gen
teel hats and gloves, genteel parties, gentsel
rides, and genteel people, are as thick ss black.
berries or grasshoppers III their season in the
mouths Of certain classes. who claim to be the
leaders in our towns and cities, in what is
termed our first socisty.
In this country where We have,no titled aris
tocr4cy, no SONS Of primogeniture or accredited
noble blood, and where industry, energy, genius,
or good luck, or whatever will give man
wealth, will give him position, we have large
amount of vulgar "genteelness '--people who
are striving to gain place in what is called
" first society" without being able to boast Of
owning one item in the above list 20 give them
the title TO the position. Raised suddenly BY
some unexpected turn Of the wheel of fortune
to wealth from poverty, the maid of the kitchen
to-day becomes mistress of the mansion to NOR
row, and knows no other way to secure and
keep foothold in the ranks she so cevets but to
dress in their uniform and to endeavor to keen
step with them wherever their extravaganza
or folly may lead, without knowing how she as
sumes their Z" arms which fit her about as
scefully as the peacock's feathers did the Jack.
daw in olden time.
Such rsons are always trembling and fear.
ing lest they lose their position. Mrs. Grundv,
by shake of her finger, would make taem turn
pale with alright; Mrs. So-and-so rules them
BY flirt of her fan. "She is so geneel," that
they must follow her, no matter how much 1t
costs. Truly gentee! people, those who possess
the attributes of character required by Wcrces-
ter, those who are "po(ite, wel-bred, and free
from vulgarty, ETC." walk without fear. They
stand seli-poised in every society, well knowing
that the good and the true will recognize them
for the "good and the true" that is in them
selves. They have no apprehensions that
dress worn two seasons, or bonnet in last
years ribbons, can tumble them down, or a hul
from Gonns or mautilla from Bulpn's lilI
them up,
Just in proportion as fortunes are more easily
made in any country, will be the amount OF
snobbshness or vulgar genteelness, which will
annoy our taste or excite our mrth--of women
(perhaps | should say ladies) who, wearing six
hounces with deep trimmings, who flourish and
rustic MORE antiques, Honton lace kerchiefS
and scented fans, who change hats and plumes
four times year. and never allow themselves to
lose sight for one moment of the punctilious
etiquette who still, like Mrs Pdrington. make
most egregious bIunders, and talk about their
HdNlHS d pOSiNlOu Will lhC HN pDGIdCt Oh Tue
city," the immense ordinance al the lecture or
OPERA send their sons to college to study
"algeber," and dilate upon their fondness for
Greek and Latin authors, especially Shakespeare
and Shelby.
Such persons for the most part make our
1ashy fashionable people, who appear on the
streets in the morning in full dress, who never
go to church but with display, which should
be only tolerated at an evening party, or on
some gala day. They are the people that turn
the heads of our veal minded glrls. who snuo
their old friends who g. out sewing for living
and cut, without even SO much as look, the
companions Of their kitchen life few months
or years agone. There is plenty of hGuteur
among all classes of wealthy p ,ope toward
thos- beneath them in place and position but
those Of all Others, who hold their elevation by
the uncertain tenure OF dollars and cents, are
the most apt 10 put on urs and are the most
ridiculous.
The truly noble soul is always noble, in pow
erty or wealth, and many kitchen girl holds
within herself all the elements of true lady.
Lift her up, she is still humble, gentle, self sus.
tained yet even unostentatious, and fearful of
making vain display. Oisuch an one how often
it is said She is just as good as ever wealth
has not spoiled her"
Honest labor in the kitchen or shop, the gar
den or the factory, never spoiled any one but
the shame OF honest labor, which Isl alas F! too
often found lurking in the heart of the laborer,
has spoiled thousands, and found its victims.
too, not unfrsquently among those who but for
this folly, might have walked worhily in the
paths OF duty for lifetime without reproach
True genteelness consists ia living in the most
perfect harmony with ourselves and our circum-
stances--in houses no larger than we can fur
nsh, and wearing dresses that shall never feel
cumbrous because unpaid for. receiving compa-
ny exactlyas we would wish to b...receyed, and !
making no display which tims place, or crcum-
stances does not seem to dictate best to be done.
One who strives for this will always BE- genteel
if there is any meaning in the word
We once knew lady Of small means who !
had bee invited TO many parties in city of !
some wealth. probably on her husbands account,
he being man Of intellect and holding prom.
inent position. Wishing to give party in re
turn in order TO be gtnteel, as she expressed it,
she borrowed everything that her neghbor, |
would lend in the way Of ornaments or luxuries |
Her table was profuseIy loaded with silver and
china her mantles an1 brackets groaned under
their burdens of marble and bronze. Her rooms
were all agow with sstrals and girandoles. which
1854 days in the year made bright other homes.
And even borrowed servants hone in feathers
for the hour, who danced attendance upsn other
ladies at all other times, and heard her and hen
party ndiculed for weeks after by those for whom
all this great feast was made.
What was the consequence? Mrs. B. whis.
pered to Mrs c., "This is my lamp" aud Mrs.
e. responded, with litter " And this is nv