The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-02
Improper Eamiliaritics.
BY STEELE.

From The Tatlsr," No. 225, Sept, lG, ITO.
The hours which we spend in conver-
sation are the most pleasing Of any which
we enjoy; yet, me-thinks, there is very
little care taken to improve ourselves for
the frequent repetition of them. The
common fault in this case is that of grow
ing to intimate, and falling into displeas-
ing familiartics; for it is very ordinary
thing for men to make no other use of a
close acquaintance with each others af
fairs, but to tease one another with unac-
ceptable illusions One would pass over
patiently such as converse like animals
and salute each other with bangs on the
shoulder, sly raps with canes, or other
robust pleasantries practised by the rural
gentry OF this nation but even among
those who should have more polite ideas
of things, you see set Of people who IN
vert the design Of conversation, and make
frequent mention of ungratcful subjects !;
nay, mention them because they are un-
grateful as if the perfection of society
were in knowing how to offend on the one
part, and how to bear an offence Oh the
other. In all parts of this populous town,
you find the merry world made up Of an
active and a passive companion one who
has good nature enough to suffer all his
friend shall think fit to say, and one who
is resolved to make the mcst of his good
humor to show his parts. Ia the trading
part of mankind, | have ever observed
the jest went by the weight Of purses,
and the ridlcule is made up by the gains
which arise from it, Thus the packer
allows the cIothier to say what he pleases;
and the broker has his countenance ready
to laugh with the merchant, though the
abuse is to fall on himself, because he
knows that, as a go-tween, lie shall find
his account in being in the good graces
of man of wealth. Among these just
and punctual people the richest man is
ever the better jester and they know no
such thing as person who shall pretend
to a superior laugh at man, who does
not make him amends by opportunities
of advantage in another kind but among
people Of Il different way, where the pre-
tended distinction in company is only
what is raised from sense and understand
ing, it is very absurd to carry on rough
raillery so far, as that the whole discourse
should turn upon each other infrmities,
follies, or misfo.tunes.
I was this evening with a set of wagS
of this class. They appear generally by
two and two and what is most cXtraor-
dinary, is, that those very persons who
are most together appear least of a mind
when joined by olher company. This
evils proceeds from an indiscreet famili-
arity, whereby man is allowed to say
the most grating thing imaginable to
another, and it shall be accounted weak
ness to show an impatience for the un-
kindness. But this and all other devia-
tions from the design of pleasing each
other when we meet, are derived from IN
terlopers in society; who want capacity
to put in stock among regular COM
panions, and therefore supply their wants
by stale histories, sly observations, and
rude hints, which relate TO tie conduct
Of others. All cohabitants in general run
into this unhappy fault; men and their
wives break into reflections, whi;h are
like so much Arabic to the rest Of the