The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-29
MORNING DECEMBER 29

ABSTRACT OF MIR. sEyERANCE'5 address.
The speaker commenced with Hazlett's |
remark that no one ever changes his |
character after two years While not |
adopting precisely Hazletts theory, he
argued that character was the product OF
development. The full rounded perfected
character was the product Of discipline.
Men are not born great but with possibili-
ties Of being great. This is the work OF dis
cipline. The social element was innate,
yet it required development. Man is So
cial being by nature. Wolves 90 in packs,
birds in flocks thus are congregated
Thus men and animals tend to congrega-
ton. Intellectual culture as well as moral
culture embraces in their range the whole
man.
Social culture does not consist in the
training of any one faculty, it involves the
culture Of every faculty, The love of com
munity is strong enough in ALL Social
culture is that which brings more culture
INTO society. The social principle compcls
men TO seek associated life. a class of
minds see society only based on wealth.
Social culture consists in the drawing out
the wealth of personal qualities.
The subject was discussed under the fol-
lowing heads
First. We owe 10 society some portion
OF our time.
Some turn away because of its demands.
Society demands at times that all manly
and womanly qualities shall be laid upon
the altar of social culture, and the demand
should be met, overcoming all modesty. for
llaZlctt says ian excess Of mOdcsty is an
excess Of pride
Sfcoad. liospitabc entertainment.
Those who have homes should open them
to the public. The social culture of the
| Elizabethan Age was cited rs an example
/ for after ages for the social after dinner
/ talk is among the most valuable means of
| culture. Christ mingled socially with the
! people. The table talks Of Jesus are among
the most potent sayings for good which
/ have ever been uttered for the benefit Of
/ the world. Much of the enjoyment of life
| is due to neighborhoOd and family com
mnglmg and intercourse.
IHiiU. Refinement of manners
\ person las no right to he loose in dress
or speech. Boorishness has no place in
good society. Rccklessncss, either in
thought or action, has no place in the social
culture. The speaker proceeded TO elabo-
rate these points in familiar way, which
should have made deep impression upon
his audience, but our limits will not allow
of presenting them in this abstract.
HOujfH. General good nature in society
should pcrvadc the Individual kind and
human feelings scattering sunshine on all
sides. An individual has no business 10
thrust his troubles upon the social circle,
or bring his thorr5 among his conrregated
friends. Society enjoys sparkling, bulb
bling wafer Men generally abuse them
selves in this regard more than ncighbors
abuse them. When you see other people
happy do not attempt to pull them down
to gloom; real grief is too sacred for public
sight No individual should 90 into society
TO bc pticd or asking pity. There is a
petty malice in the hearts of some men, and
little righteousness in telling a tale, many
become positice crime. More mischief in
the word is created by implication and in
situation than from any other source.
Kindness il mark OF culture wherever you
find it.
FItM The Conversational Powers.
: 1t is the most common, yet the ralcst oi
qualities. One may know books from
beginning 20 end, but without conversation
knowledge is lost To the world. In society
/ thought maniiesis itself in speech The
art of coHycrsing well is better than the arr
of the poet. The most fruitful and natura
exercise Of the mind is conversation. II
> some circles people are held in contcmp
because they cannot express thcmscVc
! freely. \ terrible rctribution follows hin
l who shuts himself out from socicty-fo
our speech is the strongest bond of fellow
, ship, while few master the art of conycrs
; ing well yet the individual is in the worl,
= to talk, and therefore to talk WELL
In concluding Mr.. Severance laid dow
three maxims
first. Society demands conversation o
/ YOU.
4 9oeond. Conhne yourselves to famlia
. subjects
4 IHird. DO your own thinking, and form
5 your own thoughts.
j. y broad thorough, physical and mentu
! culture was advocated throughout the dis
i course.
The address was one which should b
i heard in every community, and from ever.
pulpit and lyceum platform in the State.
c is to be hoped lie may be invited t
: to repeat it in many places
. Rev j. T. Goodrich of burlington, VIII
# was to have delivered the concluding at
J. dress, was unable to be present His plac
/ was filed by Prof George H. Perkins, q
: the University Of Vermont, who delyere
e an able, elaborate and interesting add:cs
e on "Thc Use of Scientific Theories"
u \. T.. l.eayenWorth, from the committo
ON rosolr,ion. ,,rosorto1 tho f,Ilo,y;n,
,,' ,.,;ol, ,,oro ,,or;,,oroI, o1on,ol
IS De.o1,.J Thnt ,ho u'or,,s Of r,is os.oc
> alton are most cordially extended to ii
T. speakers and essaysts who have prepare
n papers Tor inc cnterIalhmehl ana ns.ru'
5. Vorr,ant roilrooI con,nar,. fo, Tho nen,
g courtesy of half fare. and especially to IL
# citizens of Pittsford and their committee
Re i ~ W, NnNcrly, a,iu . 49, W l.s'o ',
viIr Tor thc comfor, If those in ntfendan,
d and for their generous hospitality extendc
us at Their homes.