The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-19
AKectatiOn.

All men think all men affected but them
selves. went to church yesterday morning
(not our church), and listened to an indig
nant protest against affectation from the
most affected preacher ever heard. That
was the eloquent part of his sermon. 1t was
the only place in which he seemed to forget
himself totally.
Isuspect that people who are entirely desti-
tute Of affectation are apt to be
rather tiresome people. 1 count af-
fectation, in certain of its forms,
among the amenities of life. That is to say,
with those who fight against every apprecia-
BILE tendency towards it in themselves it is an
almost unconscious and not ungracious
possession. Pour every drop from the cup,
and the jewel will gleam at the bottom.
To change the figure-it is the window
pane over the heart. Sometimes, to be sure,
it distorts-like the old-fashioned square
green glass that twists neighbor Cooks farm
house, over the way, into Gothic cathedral.
We think our own windows are ground glass,
while other peoples are transparent enough.
There is the pitiful, grieved look. young
colored woman on the ferry-boat this morn
ing had it. THE ferry-boat is one of the
good places in which to observe character.)
A gentle declination at the corner Of the
mouth-a slight lifting of the eyebrows; if
you will try it before mirror you will find
that it is not at all difficult. What with the
false crimps showing under the edge of the
jaunty round hat, and that pitiful expression,
think the poor black face felt white. 1t is
very hard sometimes to recognize the human
ity under dark epidermis; but that look,
which knew so well, was the touch that
make us kin. / had fellow-feeling for the
African. Her petty affectation was mute
appeal for sympathy. The unity OF the race as
serted ITSELF
But if you suppose that affectation in pre-
else ly the Websterian sense is the kind of at
fectation am talking about you will be mis-
led. That authority defines it as IAN at
tempt to assume or exhibit what is not nat
ural or real" The word has another and a
snbtler meaning, which l am not sure that l
can easily indicate. But there is such a
thing as honest affectation-a timid, half-con-
scious outward showing of what is deepest
and most vital in mans nature.
Now, be frank-don't you remember any of
your own honest little affectations; look,
sign, start, that was not altogether sponta-
neous, but which told more than words ever
could tell, of something that Icy nearest your
hearth There is your wife Have you never
marked any of these shy unfoldings in her
do you not know them well-do you not love
her all the more for what you nave learned OIL
her through them?
| think can generally tell sincere affee-
tation from hollow one. But think l am
more charitable than-Theodosia, for in
| stance with even a hollow one. Because,
though it may have no relation to a mans
real nature, it may have a certain truth, and
therefore certain value in showing, at least,
the light in which he would like to be regard
| ed
Which leads me to the youthful pious af1ec
tation. 1t is as good as play to me, watch
ing young Brunmel in church. The play ana
the church don't go together, you say, and
| had better be attending to the service. Well,
but there is profit as well as amusement in
the study of humanity, and my Brxmmel is
very human. All, the devoted expression,
the austere attitudes, the stately trailing and
highly -declamatory responses-how impress
next pew; how ridiculous as to Ineodosia:
For myself, have always known Brummel
for fippant scape-grace youth; have hopes
| of him now that find he wants to seem de-
I corous and sincere in the eyes of the very
Young ladies in the next pew. He half de-
ceives himself by his air of devotion.
of course Theodosia thinks it is too bad.
! She knows perfectly detest affectation, and
she don't see the utility of splitting hairs.
These apologies open the floodgates! Hon
est aifectation-what contradiction of
| terms
My dear girl, you are right and you are
wrong-as usual. / do holly hate downright
affectation and conceit and all other things
just ly hated of gods and men. But is it not
recompense for gray hairs, If one has been
taught by long study of its weaknesses, to
| think better Of our common human nature
to find lurking under some Of its unpleasant
aspects that which is not to be utterly de-
spised Prom "The Old Caoinet;;' Serfo-
] ner's for March,