Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-08
How to be Polite.

The basis Of all true politensss is kindness.
All politsness shsuld be real, and frsm the
heart. Ifyou constantly strive TO reason
away your prejudicss against people you
will become polite. Most ofour dislikes
have very little foundation. A large prspor
ton of them spring from idle gossip, from
fancled sights, or from trials Of our temper
which We could very easily forgive, were it
really our interest to do 50.
But 1t is always our interest to kssp on the
best terms with every one who is not really
bad or disrsputable. To do this one must
maintain an unceasing watch over his or her
tempe and suffer no opportunity to escape,
however triaing, Of gratifying others. If
kindness of heart be the first requisite in
politsness, it is quite es true that dssiduity is
net less needed. ..-. ...-. ~. -......'
Politeness is manifested by courteous
inquiries after the friends and families of
those whom yeu mset, and in manifestiuy a
cordial interest in them. 1t is shown BY
devotiRga little space in every letter to
remembrance" for friends. 1t is highly
gratifying form ofpolitsness to write occa 8. on
ally to all from whom yeu have received
kindness which warrant you in 80 doing. Il
is polite to cenferm ysur dress, and, ,(in
reason your habits, to the taste or feeling of
thoss whose guest or associate you may be- 1t
is polite and complimentary to inquire after
any one of whose acquaintance your friend
may reassn to be proud. 1t is pslits, when
you are guest, to endsaver to enjoy yourself
and make others do 50. 1t il petite to
these who are assembled 10 any place, to
avoid heated argument, and oil noisy remark
ble' conduct. 1t is polite 10 promptly ask
every enc 10 take chair who enters your
house or sffice, and the mere cultivated ysu
are. the more widely will you extend such
csurtesies to humble people. Ii is petite TO
do everything for another which would graft
fy hifn or her, and is not unreasonable 10
is polite to make no allusion to age. 1t is
polite to spare people elder than yourself,
and women Of any age, any exertion or
personal effort even in the msrsst trifies. 1t
is polite to take no notice whateyer Of
accidents or annoying occurrences, unless
by so deing you can be of assistance. 1t is
polite to make ready ana unstudied sacrifice
OF your exsrtion or efyour cemtort to crafty
others; as, fer instance. to always escort any
lady. or do service for frisnd. 1t ia petite
to suppress yopr peculiar tsasts in religion
or politics before those who differ with you.
II is petite to never take it upon Yourself in
any way to punish any person, unless i be
distinctly your business to dose tits polite,
to avoid practical Jokes. II ispolite when
you have offended any one, or hurt. his
feelings 10 any ~ay, TO apologize for il, as
clearly as possible without reservation or ex-
cuse, since the more vulgar man is, the
more does he obscure and degrade sn spslogy
by self justification. 1t is polite to express
an Interest In or admiration ofthat Which is
dear 10 athers Ii il sometimes mere polite
to accept gift ola coartssy, especially from
humble people, thAu 10 refase il; and il is.po-,
lite TO show the utmost Kindness snd eeurtszy
to those who have been reduced BY advsrsity.
And il is somethipg more thar petite to
intsrposs and shield another person frsn
morti6catios, wounded seifrsspess AsSlos
ofdignity.V ,nolil2dsa adl s10aa