The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-02-03
Y. M. M. L. Lectnres-R. w. Emer-
4 son ON nManners.O


Smith 4 Nixon's Hall was crowded last
evening 10 hear Ralph Waldo Emerson slecture
before the Library Association on tsM Manners''---
tbeme so original and profound thinker,
so accomplished scholar and 90 accurate an
observer, with his severely esthetic sense,
could not fail To treat with marked ability and
eloquence. The audience, as may be sup
posed, was very intellectual one, the most
80 probably that has attended the Library
lestures during the season.
Emerson ID the Same odd, aelf-poised,
half Egyptian-looking gentleman he was whom
We saw him last, two years ago, with the same
semi-sad, semi genial face, heavy with thought,
looking outwardly and inwardly at once, and
full Of the ideal and of belief In himself and
nature. His manner and delivery were as
peculiar, and his voice was as strangely
musical. He had in no rise changed; he who
stands by himself for tho agesto Judge Of him,
and utters the thoughts that are his, inde-
pendent Of aught but his own convictions.
Emerson referred to "Manners," not only
as essential to all civilized beings, but spoke
Of them in respect TO their convenience, power
end beauty. They distinguished men from
each other; evinoed the culture, position, rank
in life, and were the exponents Of character.
They were In the blood TO certain extent,
but were capable Of improvement to an infinite
degree. The close observer saw all the inte-
rior, the esoterio existence Of men in their
manners, which, fictitious as they sometimes
might be, were sslf-reveslsrs ever.
Manners were power and beauty combined,
and those were best and nearest perfection
that sprang from self-balanced, self-reliant
natures. We must depend on ourselves if We
would be respected and esteemed. Stand by
yourself and the universe would stand by you
| alsoi atE
Manners made us masters of our fellows |:
they conquered silently, but surely, and the
inferior nature could not resist them il II
| would. They were magnetic and miraculous,
and often clothed their posSesaor in comeliness
and interest, such as no complexion or features
could. The eye ruled everywhere-it was the
measure Of man and the world, and he who
met yours firmly, and returned its influence,
was your peer and your BROTHER.
Itwas difficult to give rules for manners, for
they who had them understood not how they
were theils; but the best law was to be sincere
and honest. This was the true test Of friend
ship, and confirmed the French expression ol
friendship-to understand each other. II was
glorious and sublime to behold two natures
that, laying aside all deceit, all sham, oil as.
| suuptIVnt nPoho Wnht Whb Huc1 Vuly anu
entirely true, to themselves.
Manners depended, too, on goodness o.
heart, for heart was the center Of life, ani
hospitality was the heroism of manners. Ev
cry statepf society was graduated 10 manners
and the highest was reached by the lofties
courtesy and the gentlest bearing. In tn,
finest people were repose, arniability and be-
nevolence, and there tho magic Of humanit,
was felt and distributed. All should love, ant
all tended to, the good and beautiful, which
lay at the base Of manners; and perhaps th,
best means to acquire forms was, as Lord Ba
con had said, not wholly to despise them.
| Our crude sketch hardly gives an idea, W
are aware, of Emerson's lecture, which, lik
his disc6urses generally, should have beef
heard to be appreciated or comprehended. H
is so peculiar, pointed and subtle. that b
can not be in any manner satisfactorily repro
duoed except in his own words.
Mr.. Emerson will lecture this evening at th
Unitarian Church, corner of Race and Fourth
streets, On "Success."