The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-05-27

people say is a fundamental law ofthe
social code" You may be able TO
startle with your wit, move with your
lpathos, and thrill with your eloquencc
but all this will not save you from
being frequently positive annoy.
ance, unless you have occasionally
what Sydney Smith desired in a To-
quacious gentleman-a few flashes of
silence.
AS TO PERSo oNAL APPEARANCE.
In a well known French work on
conversation, the first three chapters
are devoted to the teeth, the mouth,
and the tongue. To those who would
excel in the art, the suggestion may
not, however, be amiss that MS regards
personal appearance, there should he
neither striking defects nor effects.
Not only should the teeth, as the
French writer suggests, be scrupu-
lousy neat, fnd with them the min
utest details of the entire person. but
the hair and drecs should be strictly
within the average limits of the fash
ion of the day. The reason for this
is manifest--there should he nothing
to distract the eve or divert the attcn.
ton from the expression Of the coun.
tenance, or from the words ofthe per-
son conversing. The slightest neg
lcct of cleanliness is quite enough,
with the majority Of refined people,
to minole a feeling of disgust with
the most favorable impressions, even
though they may he quite uncon-
scions of the source Of the disagree
able feeling-Hor such defects often
open to us. we know not why, long
train Of offensive associations. Noa'
toilets and good clothes are 10 be
commended. since they are in Ger
tain sense compliment to all will
whom YOU associate. But for man,
jewelry and striking ornaments, gay
colors, and ali that attracts the eye
form serious drawbacks. People o
experience in the world, especially
intelligent aud shrewd women, arr
prompt to form conclusions from fop
piSh ecccntricitics of dress which are
seldom to the credit Of the weArer
and though they may pay tribute
Of admiration to the ornaments II
themselves. it will always be discoun
ted from the respect due to the mine
Of the one who wears them.
GAUDY DRESS.
am perfectly. aware that with ma
ny men the tendency to gaudy color
and display is irrepressibIe. Perhaps
it is well that such is the case, since
it is q matter of such Importance that
the weak minded my he promptly
known whenever met, and we may
therefore, regard the tendency as
equivalent to the wise provisions oI
nature ny which we are enabled tt
distinguish parrots and maeaws from
the birds of plcasanter temper nnt
song. A lady being asked what opin
ion she had formed of n certain young
gentlemen, replied: "Do not ask me
! can remember nothing of it all bu
II horrible great red coral ball on hi:
cravat, which rolled against all my
ideas. and knocked them all dow
like nine plns!"
OF EQoTIsM IN CoNyERsATIoN.
Never speak Of your own peculiar
tiles. Many persons acquire a gay
- habit of merry boasting, or orhumor
ous gasconading-s so called from th,
Gascons, Il brave and talented people
who, however, utterly destroy al
respect for their real merit by thei
habits of vaunting. He who woulC
avoid vanity should have absolutel,
nothing to do with it-not even t
burlesque it. Self is our most insid
ious foe, and he who boasts in ful
will soon find earnest thoughts eli
ding into the current Of his jests -
In short, avoid everything whicI
may suggest, however remotely, (,
those with whom You converse, tll'
suspicion that you think Of the eauc
Jol produce.
Do not in conversation refer 10,
;, frequently to scenes in which vol
have figured, to great people WHOM
y you know; to yonr travels, your sac
cesses, or TO anything on which yoI
may be supposed to congratulat
yourself. Ii possible, avoid recur
ring often to trains Of thought an,
associations connected with you
"strong points, since most peopl
and especially women, are very ap
at detecting vanity. Do not, howey
!, er. as some do, serupulously avoi'
all mention whatever of your expert
ences and fortunes. There are me