Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-11-14
5hiscfllnnn.
Politeness in Public.

The degree of refinement attained by
community can be readily estimated
by the conduct of our public audiences.
In these promiscuous assemblages, the
natural disposition of each person, or the
acquired manners .of the mass, are Gu
rious study for the observant. To the
traveller, different places are interesting
in this respect alone. In one city we
find cultivated manners, exceptionable
behavior, courtesy toward speaker, actor,
or audience in another, we are annoyed
by whispering, giggling, shutting feet,
late arrivals, and, worse than all, that
insult to an assembly, or speaker, a noisy
withdrawal before the entertainment is
done. In intelligence and general infor-
nation we are, as a people, inferior to
none but, in cultivated manners, espee-
tally in public places, we are sadly re-
miss. The solemnity of our sacred SER
vices are constantly disturbed by thought
less and undevout people. An appeal
to The Deity is frequently broken in up
on by such unimportant comments as
" Where is she Dresses wretched-
ly!" Or public speakers age and
money value are discussed by persons
Immediately behind you, while you are
straining every nerve in order to catch
the eloquent words he is uttering. To a
lover of good music, such interruptions
are species of torture bordering on
agony. When Miss Kellogg charms us,
or Adelaide Phillips lifts US cut of the
depths, with her expressive voice and
impressive manner, what is it to US that
person sitting near "saw her wear the
same dress in another town 7" Why
should our enjoyment be destroyed by
frivolous remarks, which, If they must
be uttered, it were better to reserve until
the close of the performance. Foolish
boys and simpering girls are not the on
ly transgressors in this respect old men
talk quite as loud upon business matters
until lecturer begins or the curtain
rolls up, and then, after few moments
of silent looking or listening, they re-
sumo their conversation, introducing q
little pounding of cane upon the floor
by way of interlude. Women, to, who
should know better, dodge their lofty
hats or bonnets up and down, back and
forth, during an entire evening. More
than one unlucky wight, whose shortness
of vision requires the use of glass, has
at last succumbed to the force of circum
stances and gone away without one un
obstructed view of the speaker. Th'
restless movement of the head gear, fol
lowed by prolonged buzzing sound lik
the swarming of bees, is insult added t,
injury.
The absence of all vulgarism, the re
spectful department of young and old
and silent attention to the speaker mar
the intelligent and cultivated audienc
everywhere. Taste and good feeling de
mand proper regard for others, Will
indifference and disregard of the publ
opinion or wishes bespeaks an absence Q
all those ennobling feelings and enlight
ened sentiments which are the ornament
of political freedom. In whatsoeve
house you enter" says an old provert
remain master of your eyes an
tongue" advice worthy of remembrance
by frequenters of the music hall, lectur
room, theatre or church. A wise teach
er readily understands the degree {
home training her pupil receives by hi
department in school, and patient oil
server decides as readily concerning tn
regard for the smaller decencies of lif
of the people he meets day after day
True politeness is as much superior
surface politeness as the genuine damon
is to the paste imitation. The oficiou
clerk who presumes to know our deed
better than ourselves, may present b
views in honeyed tones, but the suavit