Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-05
POliteness in Public.

manners OF the mass, are curious study
for the observant. To the traveller, differ
ent places are interesting in this respect
alone. In one city we find cultivated
manners, exceptional behavior, courtesy
toward speaker, actor, or audience; In
another, We are annoyed by whispering,
giggling, shufa ng feet, late arrivals, and
worse than all, that insult to an assembly,
or speaker. noisy withdrawal before the
entertainment is done. In intelligence and
general information we are, as a people,
inferior to none but in cultivated manners,
especially in public places, we are sadly
remiss. The solemnity of our sacred ser
vices are constantly disturbed by thought
less and undevout people. An appeal to
the Deity is frequently b oxen in upon by
such unlmportant comments or questions
as L" Where is she?" dresses wretched-
ly!" or public speakers age and money
value are discussed by persons Immediate
ly behind you, while you are stralning
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 NJ SIS
Kellogg charms US or Adelaide Philips
lifts us out of the depths, with her express
sve voice and impressive manner, what is
it to us that a person sitting near "s saw
ber wear the same dress in another town ?"
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 only
transgressors in this respect; old men talk
quite as loud upon business matters until
a lecturer begins ar curtain rolls up, and
then, after few moments of silent look
ing or listening, they resume their conver-
satlon, introducing little pounding of a
cane, upon the floor by way of interlude.
Women, too, 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 circumstances aud gone away
without one unobstructed view OF the
speaker. The restless movement Of the
head gear, followed by prolonged buzzn ng
sound like the smarming of bees, is
insult added to injury.
The absence of all vulgarism, the res
pecttul department of young and old, and
silent attention to the speaker marx the
intelligent and cultivated audience every
where. Taste and good feeling demand a
proper regard for others, while ind fer
ence and disregard of the public opinion
or wishes, bespeaks an absence of all those
ennobing feelings and enlightened senti-
ments which are the ornaments Of political
freedom. " In whatsoever house you en-.
ter" says an old proverb, q" remain master
Of your eyes and tongue advice worthy
of remembrance by frequenters of the
music hall, lecture room, theater or church.
4 wise teach r readily understands the
degree OF home training her pupil re-
ceives, by his department in school, and
a patient observer decides as readily con-
cerning the regard for the smaller decen
cies of life of the people he meets day
alter day. True politeness is as much su-
perior to surface pollteness, as the genu-
Inc diamond is to the paste imitation. The
officious clerk who presumes to know our
needs better than ourselves, may present
his views in honeyed tones, but the suavity
Of manner does not distract from the i'm
pertinence; and we turn from him in dis
gust to greet the unobtruslve shopman,
VINO kindly permits US to make our own
selections. Tue man who stops the car
for an overburdened woman, and tenderly
assists her needless children, may be onIy y
a rough coated, coarse handed person, but
his poiteness is of the genuine stamp, Of
the heart, not the head. The woman who
thanks you kindly for your seat, when
your galantry has induced you to resign
It, is an innate lady, whether she wear a
ragged waterproof, or a rich velvet cloak
while the man who rudely thrusts a little
child from comfortable position in order
to occupy it himself, proves himself an
uncultivated boor; though he may vie with
the Rothschids in wealth and make him.
self the envy of his fellows in the drawing
room We all remember the well-earned
praises bestowed upon our police force
during the famous jubilee especially upon
: those connected with the Press depart
ment. Their universal good nature, manly
courtesy, and poiteness, were themes OF
much comment and in striking contrast
thereto, we saw many instances of petty
rudeness and vulgarlsm which led us tc
J think that the smaller duties of life. OF
what the French call ies petitis morales
were unknown to some of the audeL ce
Near the writer, sat little boy and girl
evidently brother and sister, whose tender
regard for each other had attracted US or
their arrival We had entered early fol-
!, the purpose of devoting some time to a
minute examination of the decorations
during our survey, our little friends retain
, ed their seats near the aisle where a
thoughtful usher placed them, remark ing
} as be did so on their inability to see
q" through people," For an hour they re
uained undisturbed except when the boy
with the instincts of gentleman, rose to
} permit others to pass. About the usua
hour for the concert to commence, wher
the crowded building seemed incapable o
seating any more. two persons entered aud
approached our little friends. "Shove il
and give us this seat" said the man rough
ly. 81 came first, sir, and the usher tolc
me to sit here,' was the bushing reply
Il don't care what the usher did, move
. along, and let this lady sit down." and the
little fellow with heaving bosom, and 9
!, burning cheek, was fairly pushed from the
place he had occupied so long. 1t was toe
grievous an insult for him to bear, evident
ly, for the tears came quickly, and the lit
> tie Jubilee fan" could not hide them
Every witness of the scene burned with
indignation, and rejoiced heartily when
!. witty and spirited man, who evidently re
= membered his own boyhood, attacked th'
t six feet of flesh, but doubtful manhood
# and demanded the seats for the lad ant