The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-06-03

parrots and macaws from the birds of
pleasanter temper and song. A lady
being asked what opinion she had
formed Of the conversation of certain
young gentleman, replied: "Do not
ask me | / can remember nothing of
it all but horrible great red coral
ball on his cravat, which rolled against
all my ideas, and knocked them down
like nine-pins?"
OF EGoTIsM IN CONVERSATION,
Never speak of your own peculiar
ties. Many persons acquire gay
habit of merry boasting, or Of bumer-
Gus gasconading--su called from the
Gascons, brave and talented people,
who, however, utterly destroy all re-
spect for their real merit by their hab-
its of Wanting. He who would avoid
vanity should have absolutely nothing
TO do with it-not even to burlesque it.
Self is our most insidious foe, and he
who boasts in fun will soon find earn
est thoughts gliding into the current
of his jests. In short, avoid everything
which may suggest, however remotely,
to those with whom YOU converse, the
suspicion that you think of the effect
YOU produce.
Do not in conversation refer too fire.
quently to scenes in which you have
figured; to great people whom you
have known; to your travels, your sue
cesses, or to anything on which YOU
may be supposed to congratulate your
self. If possible, avoid recurring often
to trains of thought and associations
connected with your Strong points, -
since most people and especially wom-
en-, are very apt at detecting vanity.
Do not, however, as some do, scrupu-
lousy avoid all mention whatever of
your experiences and fortunes. There
are men who carry this to an absurd
degree of affection, and abstain from
the slightest reference TO their travels,
or what they have seen, or Of which
they were part This is only vanity
III more refined form. Many "bon-
est folks expect from a traveller, on
any other who has achieved what is Is
them at least a celebrity, some enter
tanning anecdotes which they them
selves may cite. Such excellent souls
can no more comprehend motives fol
reserve than an Arab would similar
modesty in a hadji from Mecca
Whenever You can appropriately and
modestly draw upon your experience
for an illustration, do So Rely upon
it that opportunities viii not be want
ing.
Do not talk so as to display yom
wealth, or your habitual familiarity
with it, or with rich people. This dis
gushing form of vanity is very common
i'll the United States, and gives an ex
cellent standard for ascertaining tbs
real social position and character o
many who are well guarded agains
, detection III other respects. 1t is AZ
/ insldlous fault, and one full of tempta
, tons in circles where money getting i
Z the chief occupation. 1t displays itsel
T. III the afiectation of forge ting wha
] some expensive article costs, and il
= speaking of expenditures as triAes
e when they were really matters of seri
Gus consideration 1t is BETRAYED il
: the vulgar habit of never abiding to
e wealthy man without speaking of Iii
riches, or to a respectable family il
moderate circumstances, without de
claring that you are poor as Job.
When you are yourself well of, such
style of reference to others, especial,
. before those who are not so prosperous
is truly contemplate, even when N,
hints are intended, and no offence j
given. This form of vanity is also seer
in the habitual endeavor to create tn
: impression that ones mind at least j
familiar with luxury. Such people tall
! of nothing but gems and divans, Toka
: and costly steeds, sables and three-pil
velvet. Others roll over with relisl
the names of the millionaires of tn
day, and will mention with pride tn
n having been in company with som
$ great Shyloeks agent, as though Their
/, were something gliding in the yer,
/ neighborhood of man who deals il
v large sums. 1t is shown in tendenc,
s to increase figures when speaking q
@ sums. There are men who, III narrat
!. ing an anecdote of a wager. never plac
h the sum at less than "teH thousand dol
!. lars" and like them are the womel
f whose friends diamonds are Away
A said to be worth thirty thousand.
g The same vanity is displayed in volun
@ teering to tell the price of every articl
g in your possession, or in asking tina
g of articles belonging to others-a thin
: which should be done as seldom a
n possible, and always with an apolog
], or, at least, with that straight-fol
s wardness which in some persons speak
: of itself a pressing reason, devoid of a
> idle curiosity
; TALKING ABOUT ONES SELF
9 Avoid rery frequent conversation O
any subject in which you are MOTOR
u ously interested. If you have spe
Z cialty in politics, religion, or any othe
" direction, it will be often enough re
/ ferred to by others without your intro
u ducing it. If you are physically stron
= or handsome, or accomplished in an
! arts, do not make strength and beaut
y and your favorite abilities even ind
% % rectly, frequent subject of discussion
= Beware of peculiar form of yanit
Y II. Il. u