, 1864-08-12
Politeness,

If you have an enemy and an opportunity
occurs to benefit him in matters great or small
act like a gentleman, and do him good service
without hesitation. If you would know what il
is to feel noble, and ''strong within Yourself"
do this secretly and keep it secret. man who
can act thus will soon feel at ease anywhere 1t
is said of Callot an eminent French artist and
engraver of the seventeenth century, that he
was once slandered in pasquinade bya certain
nobleman of the court. At that time to have
ones portrait engraved by Callot was an object
of ambition with the highest dignitaries of the
kingdom, and it was attained by very few Cal
lots answer to the injury was to publish a SUI
perbly executed likeness of his enemy, with an
inscription setting forth his titles and great
deeds. To this day the incident is cited as an
instance of proud nobility of soul. Callot was
in the highest sense polite
Politeness is shown by passing over the faults
and foibles of those whom you meet Guilt
vate this especially towards relatives The
world is severe in its Judgment of those who
expose the faults of kindred, no matter what
the provocatiOn may be. Vulgar families are
almost always at feud 1t is not polite to de-
tail injuries which you may have received from
any one unless there exist some urgent necessity
for so doing.
Pohteness is manifested in courteous inuui-
ries after the friends and family of those whom
you meet, and in manfesting cordial interest
In them. 1t is shown by devoting a little space
in every letter to "remem mbrances" for friends.
ltisa highly gratifying form of politeness to
write occasionally to all from whom you have
received kindness which will warrant you in so
doing. 1t is polite to conform your dress, and
lin reason) your habits, to the tastes and feel
ings of those whose guest or associate YOU NAV
be. 1t is polite and complimentary to INQUIRE
after any Of whose acquaintance your friend
may have reason to be proud. 1t is polite when
NTA110 0pn rrnrf To l.,
and make others do So 1t is polite to those
who are assembled in any place to avoid heated
argument, and all noisy remarks, or "remarka-
BILE" conduct. 1t is polite to promptly ask every
one to take chair who enters your house or
office, and the more cultiyated>you are, themore
widely will you extend such courtesies to hum
BILE people
1t is polite to do everything for another which
would crafty him or her, and it is not unrea-
sonable. tits polite to spare people older than
yourself, and women of any age any exertion of
personal effort, even in the merest trifes 1t is
polite to take no notice whatever of incidents or
annoying occurrences, unless by so doing you
can be of assistance. 1t is polite to make ready
and unstudied sacrifices of your exertion or of
your comfort to crafty others; as for instance,
to escort any lady, or do service for a friend
1t is polite to suppress your peculiar tenets in
religion or politics before those who differ with
you 1t is polite to never take it upon yourself
in any way to punish any person unless it be
distinctly your business to do so. It is polite to
avoid practical jokes.
Tt-is-Nalito-ru ruhor-v51ls- hove offended any one
or hurt his feeling in any way, 70 apoIog i1e Tor
it as clearly possible without reservation or
excuse, since the more vulgar a man is, then
does he obscure and degrade an apology by self
justification It is polite to express an interest
in or admiration of that which is dear to Others
1t is sometimes more polite to accept gift or
courtesy, from humble people, than to refuse it,
and it is polite to show the utmost kindness and
courtesy, to those who have been reduced by
adversely. And it is sometimes more than po-
lite to interpose and shield another person from
modification, wounded self-respect and loss of
dignity.