The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-07
The Art of Living,

THE French have phrase, expressive and
comprehensive, Savoir u,ure--to know how to
live. Its use seems to convey the meaning
expressed in Yankee dialect by 'taking things
as they come" the power of adaptation to
circumstances, and, above all, that special
accomplishment of the French-societary ease.
The English tongue has no equivalent, not
because the sons of the Saxons do not know
how to live as well or as truly, but because a
phrase Of relative import in their grander Ian
guage would have strictly philosophical
meaning. To know how to live, with them,
must necessarily signify the best and noblest
use of the gifts and opportunities of this
world and the worthiest preparation for that
of the future.
In the popular acceptation of the phrase in
its native tongue, the art of living means
mastership OF the usages of society, and
capacity for appearing generally amiable and
agreeable with the slightest possible expendi-
ture of real benevolence and labor; the aim
being the wisest way of making things plea
SAINT to ones elf rather than to others.
With a repulsion both natural and national
for hat appears insincere, we have run into
the other extreme, and neglect too much those
amenities which smooth the rough ways of
life, and prevent those collisions which occur
when characters, bristling with salient points,
are brought into contact without any inter
vening veil of etiquette.
Usages and rules, instead of being shackles,
are SO many safeguards, protecting the free
dom of the individual from the encroachments
Of society. Customs apparently senseless can
be almost invariably traced to some reasonable
cause. Even those visits so often condemned,
in which card is dropped or sent by SER
want are a sufficient recognition, and maintain
bond of union among a large number of
casual acquaintances. Many jealous people
preach that you should know only those whom
you wish to know intimately, and when they
practice the rule themselves we see how mar
row and bigoted they become. A narrow
circle of friends of similar characteristics and
| attachments leads to selfConceit and selfcon-
sciousness. Everybody necessarily measures
himself by his companions, and to live in one
of those dead level circles, where superiority
is condemned and derided by dull mediocrity,
is destructive to mind as well as manner.
Inc government Dy Lno WlSeSL ana De5L naS
been the dream of the ages, and although it
be still Utopian vision in the political world
there is an approximation possible in the
social by intoxicating an admiration for that
department which is pleasant, graceful, and
complaisant, rather than the careless, rude,
and brusque.
Seine good and particularly conscientious
people consider suavity as sinful instead of
recognizing it in its true character as benevo-
lence exercised in common matters. Any one
who has been 80 unluoky as to be compelled
to battle through an entertainment, ostensibly
social, against the antagonism of a disciple Of
this school will agree that this enemy is
almost invincible, and that his influence radi-
ates chilling sense OF isolation and produces
rarity in the mental atmosphere which con-
stricts the pulsations of heart and brain, and
renders thought and language laboriOus and
spasmodic.
The dread of affectation or mannerism has
led TO excessive and injurious negligence
How few parents ever utter word of warn
ng about department in society, or inculcate