American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-05-01
SnistellaneoMs.
G0OD-MANNERS.

Manners make the man, says the ap'
ophthegm. We might add-the woman
also for there is nothing more attractive
than grace of manner, nothing more win
ming than good>manners. We do moi
refer now to etiq quette, or the. arbitrary GUS
toms of society, which differ with every
nation, and sometimes differ in different
parts of the same nation though etiquette
and good-manneIs are frequently nearly
allied. Nor do we refer to what Mr.. Tur.
veydrop calls "deportment )" nor yet to
Courtesy" Department comprehends
the whole external expression of the in
dividual, while courtsey involves refine
ment. To have a good department one
must have good manners; but one will
have higher department who has court.
esy. Every one may have good manners;
only the refined can have courtesy
Courtesy was born of chivalry. 1t is a
generous virtue, and can not live in an
ignoble atmosphere. The strength of
man and the gentleness of woman begat
courtesy, which since that day has lived
upon earth to elevate and refine the rela-
tions of both.
The rell basis of good manners is
kind and sympathizing heart by means
of which we are enabled to feel with and
appreciate others. This explains why
there is such difference in people in re-
gard to Climate refinement" Some peo-
pie are better constituted naturally than
others; are more susceptible of develop
ment. We all like to be appreciated
there is no exception to the rule; and
we all experience sensation Of mortii
cation when we feel that we have been
neglected or treated with Indifference
Nothing sooner arouses the spirit of jcal>
ousy, which is so predominant feature
in human nature, than sense of non
appreciation, especially ia persons who
are gifted with a sensitive nature. 1t is
q common failing with all Of US to fancy
that we are not adequately appreciated
but not to be appreciated at all is more
than philosophy can endure. Some per-
sons are so dull by nature that they are
incapable of appreciatng with any nice
ness the feelings of others. Such persons
are generally rude, and their wit, if they
have any, is always of the offensive kind.
Graham one evening, rattling away to DR..
johnson and DIR. Goldsmith, exclaimed
" Doctor, should be happy to see you
at Eton." =" l shall be glad to wait on
YOU" answered Goldsmith. mo" said
Graham tbs not you mean, Dr. M
nor; ats DIR. Aqjor there" " What
Effect this had on Goldsmith, who was as
irascible as hornet" DR.. johnson used
to add, says Boswell, "may easily be con
ceived." Graham was drunk--not an
uncommon thing in those days; even
Bozzy got drunk-and for this reason
may be excused for his rudeness but DIR.
Johnson's enjoyment of the scene shows
the rugged, coarse nature which marked
him quite as much as his intellectual
ability and broad culture. 1t is clear
evidence how remarkable the latter quail.
tiles must have been that people could
have endured the former. We do not
wonder that Mrs. Boswell entertained so
poor an opinion of her husbands gov
ernor," particularly when the Doctor tip
ped up the candle Intentionally and let
the grease run down upon the carpet
Yet the rough old royal brute was in the
main good man, aud did many kind
things. He only wanted to be apprecia>
ted up to the point demanded by his
vanity.
There are people who are not stupid
but malicious, and therefore take pleas
ure in wounding the feelings of others,
or IN gratifying themselves at the ex-
peusc of others. Such persons indulge
in the vulgarity of endeavoring to make
butts of others, or in the meaness of talk
ing at people, or in introducing subjects
which must be n,alapropos.
The two classes we have referred to-
the stupidity rude and the maliciously
rude-both need to be regenerated and
renewed. Nothing less i'll enable them
either to appreciate or acquire good
manners.
In conversation we often hear good
breeding and politeless used iNt9rchange-
ably with good-manners as phrases o:
the same import. Yet there is a differ
ence in these words. Good breeding, like
department, is large expression. To be
we'll bred one must have been bro ught up
in certain way, have had certain ad>
santages and opportunities, and improved
those advantages and opportunities. A
well bred person will be a polite person
necessarily. But q person may have