The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-10-13
Conversaticn.

Convsrsation.
Conversation ranks the highest among |
social epjoyments. To converse we'll re- |
qaires extensive knowledge, command Of
temper, aud desire to please. Music 10
delightful to listen to, but one does not at
all times enjoy it, neither does everybod
appreciate the accomplishment of the Gull !
tivated musician. In conversation many
may join, while the greater number in
general gathering must be listeners when
music is introduced; many are listeners
no one need preserve q stolid silence from
excessive bashfulness or conscious inablii-
ty. The smallest remark, we'll timed the
lightest observation, properly pointed and
emphasized; the most trivial question, put
with modesty and elegance of expression,
can give . direction and add tone to a con-
versation, in which, perhaps the interroga-
tor feels himself incompetent to join freely.
Yet, how little really good conversation lie
heard in society. How frequently do
personalities creep In. How one person
gives way to undue warmth when his re-
iigious or political opinions are assailed
how another jests and puns upon the most
serious subjects or third plays the Pc
dant by the use of string Of technicait-
ities which he himself scarcely understands.
We speak of what bears the name Of con-
versation among the reading and thinking
portion of society, which is to be heard at
social gatherings, at quiet dinner parties
aud OF the family tea.table. We do not
speak at all of that low prattle, that shall
low talk which to an intelligent person
seems almost idiotic. but of which 80 much
is heard from the fast-goiug young men
and would be fast ladies Of the present day;
talk which cannot be called childish, be-
cause it is too often tinctured with the
germs of vice, thus lacking the one feature
which renders the prattle of childhood so
| 10 TIM n H.
| ~ for the utterance of men and women.
Conversation in quarters where rational
conversation is aimed at, is often unequal
to the personages engaged in it. How Of
ten are they found to descend below them
selves for the sake of displaying incipient
cism, or for the achievement OF some pet
ty conquest in argument. Pity that men
do not exercise as much care in speaking
their thoughts as in writing them.
/ Among the most glariDg blunders to be
noticed, may be named that OF taking TOO
Of vanity, as evidence of want Of sense.
Really great men have never said much OF
themselves the inference Is plain he who
INDUCES In talking of himself must be o
really small mar. In the whole of Shakes
peare's writings, enough Of the poets his
ton whether he was lame or not, or even
to fix with certainty his opinions on politi-
cal and religious subjects. 1t is undigni
Hed to carry ones woes about and retail
them out to others, and yet this is the in
evitable result of talking too much OF ones
, that one has offered us an insult; how an
/ other has spoken lily of us at our back /;
+ how we have been mistre ated in variety OF
J waye, is not interesting to the listener, bu'
is lowering to ourselves. Besides, it h
not cheerful to listen to, and promotes de-
t. - NR f0V
y tener will express sympathy, and condoit
D in the most Improved fashion, and the!
9 turn away with the conviction that tbese'
8 ia screw loose somewhere-hiA own faul
b NO doubt--deserves it ell, dare sey,D etc
1t If one lie not to talk ofbimself freely, so h
, is not to talk freely of others. Scandal, y
Is Is some shape or other, 10 the bane OF Ameri
% % can society, and needs q severe lashin
n from the pen of every Influential writer
!. Both sexeS are universally addicted to thi
l. vice in come form or other. Men max
). the charge of scandal against females :,
It themselves. But this is only the story Q
IL the apple repeated their minds are read!
"a to receive all the scandal afloat they swal
!. low all that is represented, then charge til
n woman with offering it.
h. The shapes scandal takes are so nuaeT
+. GUS, that it is impossible to attempt to de
II fine them. The running away Of the tongu
"a in condemnation of an absent friend
II brother, sistsr, or mere acquaintance
~ ~ fact, to SANDER in plain terms is better tina
az to hint and insinuate, but both are evl
h dences of mean and contemplate mine
1t One who INDUCES in depreciatory remarks
re- insin uations, sneers and the like, is like
,e viper, which steals noiselessly on its unez
ly pecting victim, gives its sting in eilenc
o. q. and disappears. And yet this style
Sc talk is dignifed with the name Of CONVEX
ne sation, and not unfrequently is bit OF goa
in yria cOnESrSC
a. d. lion with my friend, Mr.: so;and.so, c
1 Mrs. so-and.so was told such and cue
~ a thing "-somethiug, we may be sure, nc q,
e; much to the profit Of the listener, or to tn
i'll credit of the narrator. The more one dat
10 10 bles in conversation of this kind, the mo-
MT does he become soiled, degraded, and le
~ seued in the esteem of those who hol
ST. themselves above it.-Erchdnge.
COTTON MANUFACTURING AT THE SouTl