The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-02-08
' bLilliullEiL z i.
SGCiabllisY.


The hours which we spend in conversa-
ton are the most pleasing of any which
We enjoy, yet me.hinks there is very little
care taken to improve ourselves because of
the frequent repetition of them. The com
mon fault in this case is that of growing
too intimate, and falling INTO displeasing
familiarities,.for it is very ordinary thing
for men to make 40 other use Of a close
acquaintance with each others affairs
than to tease one another with unaccepta-
bic illusions. One would pass over pa
tiently such as converse ike animals, and
salute each other with bangs on the shout
der, Or the robust pleasantries practiced by
the rural gentry; but even among those
~iiio should have more polite ideas of
things, YOU see class of people who invert
the design of conversation, and make frs-
quent mention of ungrateful subjects, nav
mention them because they are ungrateful,
as if the perfection of society were in
knowing low to offend on the one part
and how to bear an Ofiense on the other.
We find the world made up of an active and
a passive companion, one who ha. good
nature enough to suffer all his friends shall
think fit TO say, and one who is resolved TO
make the most Of his good hum0r to show
his talent. Familiarity among the truly
well-bred never gives authority TO trespass
upon one another in the most minute cir
cumstances, but it allows US to be kinder
d H. : -.
A true gentleman las wit, humor and
/ spirit, but there was never a man IN his
company who wished he had less, for he
understands familiarity 50 well that he
knows how to make Use OF It in a way that
neither makes himself or his friend con
temptible. Equality is the life Of con-
I versati0n, and be is as much ont who as
sumes to himself any part above another,
/ as he who considers himself below the rest
Of society" Familiarity in interiors is
4 sancincss, in supcriors condescension, nci-
! Their of which IS to have being among
companions. The very word implying
! that they are to be equal. Hence 1t fol-
/ lows that beneyoleHce must become tine
rule Of society, and he that is most oblIg
! ing is most diyerting We are often en-
/ tcrtained with the relation Of some absurd
lty, mistake, weakness, or lll-luck OF som,
I man or other, whom not only we, bat The
person who relates it, has high respect fol
/ you. II would, therefore, be q great ben
cnft to the world if it could be brought t.
pass that no story should be a taking one
but whit was to the advantage of the per
/ son of whom it Is related. Perhaps, In
deed, an innocent, unmcaning curiosity,
! desire Of being informed concerning those
we live with, or Il willingness to profit by
reflection upon the action of others, may
sometimes afford an excuse, or sometime,
defense for inquisitiyeness, but certainly
it is, beyond all excuse, a transgres>ioI
! against humanity to carry the matter far
ther, to tear off the dressings, as m1y say
from the wounds of friend. From sucl
practices as these, it happens that SOM
feel a sorrow, and others are agitated wit!
a spirit of revenge and resentment, ant
1Glrrcls arise and injuries are given, re
ceiycd, and multiplied, in a scene Of ven
geance. | will conclude, ike an old MAJ
and mOral>t, with a fable: The bats
owls and several other birds of night 20
! together in q thick shade where the
abused their neighbors in a very s0ciadi
manner. Their satire at last fell upon tn
sun, who, they all agreed, was very trouble
some impairment and mquisitiye. Upol
which the sun, who overheard them, spok
after this manner: Friends, wonder how
You dare abuse one that You know coHld il
an instant scorch You up, and burn ever
one of you; but the only answer | shat
give you, or the only revenge | shall TAX
of YOU, is 10 shine on. ESTHER.