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

may attract will in too many cases be
entirely neutralized on the fatal sober
second thought of those in whom Won
may confdc. That is a pitiful vanity
indeed, which would sooner expose its
defeats from fortune, than not talk of
self More absurd still is the confess
sion of your private faults and vices
species of vanity frequent enough
among would-be romantic people of
n school which is now becoming gen
orally ridiculous On this subject n
French writer has well remarked that.
you should always avoid mention of
yourself, since, if it be an eulogium.
people will regard it MS lie while. if
You criticise yourself, they will take
you at your word, and accept it as an
article of faith.
In short, never allude in any way,
or under any circumstances, where it
can be avoided, to your own excellen-
cies or defects.
vULGAMsMs.
II is very vain to use strong and en-
phatic assertions, such as 81 know Il
am p0sViceiy certain, "Nes-but hap
pen to know all about it." 1t is intol-
erably conceited, and in most instances
irritates, without exciting the slightest
respect for Your declaration. Always
substitute 81 think" Il believe,p 1T
seems to me" Excuse me, but ] think
| have heard, etc. II is not enough
to limit your words in this respect, you
should never emphasize the voice too
forcibly. One may say, 81 beg your
pardon, sir, )" with an expression equiv
alent to fiat and insulting contradic-
ton.
Still more vain and vulgar is the
use of such expressions as "H IN y
"Phshaw y much you know about it r.
Stuff" and "Fiddlesticks !" These
expressions, and others like them, of a
strongly dissentient nature, should
never be uttered by any one, under
onycircumstances whatever They are
all rude, as is indeed every word and
every emphasis which dtrecHy express
- N'AAtA VI al "o0'A LDH'
PoIITENEss.
The basis of all true politcness is
kindness. All politeness should be
real, and from the heart If you con-
stantly strive to reason away your pre-
4 judices against people, you viii become
polite. Most of our dislikes have very
little foundation. A large portion OF
them spring from idle gossip, from
fancied Sights, or from trials of our
temper which we could very easily for
give, were it really our interest to dc
so.
But it is always our interest TO keel
on the best terms with every one who
is not really bad or disreputable. To
do this one must maintain an unceas
ing watch over his or her temper, anC
suffer no opportunity to escape, how
ever tIifing, of gratifying others. L
kindness of heart be the .frSt requisite
in politeness, it is quite as true tina
aSsidady is not less needed.
BEHAVIOR IN SOCIETY.
II your language be good, you
knowledge creditable, your persona
appearance devoid of eccentricity, anC
if You have learned to avoid making
Yourself conspicuous, there is II,
reason why you should not be firm anC
assured, anywhere.
Do not vex yourself with Thoughts
of inferiority, but "be Yourself to your
self, and Il little familiarity with tn,
world will soon teach YOU the absurd
ty of timidity. Ease rapidly bring
grace, if any effort whatever be made
to say and do kindly things in cheer
full and eonciliatory way.
Exercise your attention and you
thoughts when in company. If yo'
find that bashfulness and embarrass
, ment without cause occasionally affiic
you in society, Danish them by fiudinI
something to do or say forthwith. d.
not stop to argue with yourself, bu
act promptly. Ask for an introduction
to any body, and talk of the weather o
the walking, or the rooms, or any tri
hes, till something better suggests it
self The first step in pohteness is t
make such efforts, and they are duty
, In society you owe them to your hos
or hostess, who does not of course hk
to see a gloomy or embarrassed guest
And you owe them at all times, in al
places, to everybody, as a matter ofpo
/ likeness.