The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-26
Refinement in Manner and COnvsr-
aatiOm.

Gzine, we extract the following:
s. I. COleridgc's conversation was not
inferior to that of Sheridan As the gush-
ing fountain emitted its waters in perpet-
ual flow, the mind Of Coleridge sent forth
streams Of thought For hour after hour,
in tones most musical he threw off the
scintillations Of his genius. The strain
Of his conversation was always bifOrm
it always admitted Of two interpretations.
Upon the top lay meaning obvious TO
most casual observers beneath, profound
suhtleties nestled, whose exceeding beau
ty was only Visible to his best beloved
disciples. The stream Of his conversation
was like the river Of baronial mien in the
fabled land, having flowers forever float
ing upon it's surface, and opals glittering
at the bottom. The flowers Of COleridge's
talk were for the multitude the Opals oi
gorgeous hue rewards the earnest vOtary
who plunged beneath the fowery surface.
AS an inspired prophet he uttered his
Oracular words. He was Delian Apollo,
and MS graceful TO view. The son Of La.
-tOna in FURNISHED nrInor upon the snow.
clad summit Of Olympus offered not a
more attractive picture than Coleridge
upon his intellectual tripod, adorned in
the armOr Of polished thoughts, and with
generous hand dispensing alnbrosial foods
to his admiring followers.
DIR. johnson, in argumentative CONVEX
sation it is acknowledged had no superior.
AS the leviathan, hugest Of beasts in
his own element, hc would brook no op-
position. In an encounter with the foe,
he moved like the stately frigate, ready
at the slightest provOcntiOn to belch forth
his deadly thunder. With his immense
amount Of knowledge, he was prepared at
all times for the discussion of any subject.
The abstrusest point in science, the stran-
gest fnct in history, the most hidden root
in philosophy, were to him known as Of
yOre.' lie seemed 20 have quafFed copi-
ously from all the Soul ces of wisdom. His
memory likewise was extraordinary per-
feet; his knowledge therefore, was ever
Nt his command. lie had arranged. Ia
bcled and stored away in his mind, in
separate parcels. In all companies his
words were as apples Of gold set in pic
lures Of silver No man dared to contra
dict his assertions, fearful of the danger
Gus consequences. Wo unto the wretch
who dared TO render iratc the author OF
the Rambler Upon such he rushed as
the angry elephant upon his defcncelcss
keeper, bruising, manGling, and destroy,
ing him; then raising the carcass upon
his intellectual Il unk, he hurled it in sheer
contempt nfar from him many leagues
All persons may not expect to acquire
the conversational cxcellencics Of these
remarkable men. Indeed, such pot, Mt
cOnversers are OF the very fewcst-who
are, verify, little lower thnn the angels.
Yet any one Of us, however 'uncOuth,
may cultivate refinement with some de.
gree of success. The nsperities Of nature
may in some measure bc smOthcred, and
graceful department substituted. II
kindness Of heart be cultivated with hon.
est care. ont Of it will assuredly grow
kindness Of manner. Ifa mans soul be
adorned with love, his speech will certain
ly smack Of that heavenly quality. With
that blessed resident in his bosom, the
tones Of his voice will become as musical
Az tho sighs Of the zephyrs. Meeting his
fellows in the halls Of luxury, or the straw.
rOnfed hut Of poverty, he will endeavor to
minister with sweet words to their enjoy.
ment, or with mcrcifnl deeds to remove
their SORROW. The mission Of the true
gentlemen is Of more magnitude than is
generally supposed. Indeed, his whole
life may be q continual sermon, and
preached for great good. In this world,
IL men had ears, they would hear much
fine preaching, besides that uttered by
the regular clergy. Healthy and whole.
Somc preaching is going on around us,
which, alack ! findcth few hearers. Were
the Dir vocal, We should this day hear un-
numbered sermons floating up to the blue
vault Of heaven. Some Of them are preg.
nant with inteUeclions some conditional,
aud abounding in coJunctions; but not
few short and earnest, bearing glad Ii.
dines to the listening angels above us
Each object in nature unc0nsciNasIy ut.
tors its sermon. The vilest reptile, IN his
crawling, draws an argumentative SER
mon after him. The sonorous tramp Of
the greatest animals convey It's suited les.
son. The roar Of the lion IL iungles has q
touch Of elOquence in It, and the whale
spOutcth out In water. columns its sublime
sermon. The repose Of each mountain
hath lesson; the stream in the green
mtAdOw ripples out most instructive sen.
tences. The sandy desert is loquacious; !;
the barren peak is voluble. Each patter.
ing rain'drOp speaks in audible language; /;
each fountain murmurs in joyous tones |;
each solemn swell Uf old ocean sounds its
appropriate speech. Each Favonian breeze
or roaring nOrth-wind, hath its sermon.
The rigid oRk, pointing to the sky, cor.
veys its thoughts the modest violet,
blushing beneath, speaks its sweet words.
The soaring eagle breaches near the clouds;
and the lark, Of spiral fight, IL a sermon.
izer in song. Every night the boundless
arch with numberless preachers is span.
gled, who convey to mortnlS, in sparkling
sympathy, their salutary sermons Of love.
Ii thus natural objects deliver them.
selves, vhat vigorous sermon may not
the life OF true gentleman bel In what
harmonious tone may not the utterance
be given How it may smack of love, Of
mercy and Of crowning charity! Moving
onward with
The innumerable caravan that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
Ills chamber In the silent halls Of death"
to how many pleasant oases may not the
refined man Of gentle heart lead his wea.
ry companions? Such man will always
find employment. In the social circle he
may SOW good seed, which shall flourish
and bear fruit. In the banQuetinR hall.
he may for an hour cheat the melancholy
out Of the recollection Of their sorrow,
In the marts Of business, his forbearance
may afford relief to the embarrassed, and
his courteous kindness may subdue the
frantic efforts Of avArice. BY the bed Of
the sick, his gentleness may cause the
smile Of gratitude to 6itfHse itself over the
wan features Of the sufferers. In ~ cir
cles Of society, his influence will 6e at.
tended with the happiest resultA AmonR
all men, he will be marked % one Of
stately integrity and mercifGl heart
Looking to his conscience and the smiles
ot Heaven, for appreciation, he will 30
imperviOus to the aTTows Of envy. and will
present an untsrFi0pd fronl to nsalicinns