Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-01-07
APPEARANCES.

Many essays have been written, and
much advice given, against the almost
universal desire to "ksep up appear
ances," but few have examined human
nature closely enough to discover the
true philosophy Of that feeling. There
are but few. people in the world who
can really and eh~eerfully give up all
care for appearances, and these few,
when found, will not probably prove in
other things to be'models for imitation.
They are usually so possessed with
some n idea, or so absorbed in INT
pursuit, that all other things seem
worthless, and thus have lost a whole
some balance of character. The. missr
and the man with overwhelming self
conceit are instances of this kind. In
truth, if We examine closely into the
causes Of our happiness, we shall find
that appearances play no inconsidera-
BILE part among them.i To live utterly
regardless Of the impressions made
upon others, would be to sink far below
the great stage of civilization, and to
Danish many prevailing moral influences
that exert a vast power for good. Tho
wise man, therefore, in guarding him
self and others against the buses that
come from indiscriminate and excessive
love of display will be careful not to to-
tally condemn it ; a condemnation that
commonly fails on account Of its mani
fest injustice. There is usually q
habitual Identification of pleasant APP
p~earances with the realities they per-
senate, and this increases their impor-
lance. There is sometimes morality as
well as expediency in a regard for APP
~psarances, but where so many err,
is in having TOO too much regard
for them, and in neglecting the
proper balance between that and
higher motives. Where ambition or
preteuse aims at making, rather than
keeping up appearances, it will often
fail, by bestowing all its efforts where
they are Intellectual. It requires judg-
mcnt to fix on the right style to keep
up, and the person and classes whose
respect it is worth while to aim at Sc
curing. Those whose opinion is best
worth having will not be easily deceived,
and false pretenders will fail. All dis
play is an enemy to the vigilance which
the true observer of appearance should
practice. There are occasions where
struggles and expedients may be wisely
kept out of sight. Few wish to be con-
sidered objects of compassion ; and
courage, hope and success often depend
on the resolution to maintain q suitable
appearance, while if that be abandoned
in despair, all will flag. 1t is where the
love of display leads US into actual
wroug-doisg, that it has become a tyr
amy and demands immediate check.
By its fruits we may best discover when
any one motive has too great hold upon
us. Where appearances are made to
stand in the place Of realities, hypocri-
sy is The result. The deep mourning
Grape may stand in the place Of the
grief it indicates, and the profession OF
virtue may be so loud rs to drown the
more quiet reality. The young are nat
urally moro jealous of appearances than
tho old. Tho world is before them,
while it is slipping and receding from
their elders, and the failure to make
due allowance for this natural differ
ence, is often the cause of misunder-
standings on both sides. Yet none are
justified in showing defiance to conveh-
tioual restraints, or in ~loosening social
ties and obligations. He who affects
contempt for appearances as such, and
persists in disregarding them, only in
dulges his own humor at the expense Of
others feelings, and usually violates
some principle of morality or order.
What we chiefly have to do, is to make
our realities and appearances agree