The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-03-11
True POliteneSs.

This browning grace of character cannot
be learned or acquired by the study of Ell
quette books. They indeed are useful as
manuals of social Intercourse, and may
help one in the observance of conventional
rules, but they cannot make the true lady
or the true gentleman. Genuine polite
ness strikes its roots far below the sur
face, deep in the heart, and blossoms out
in all the little acts of life.
He whose pulse beats in time with the
great pulse of humanity, who feels that
" every heart is human" bears about with
him the very elemental soil from which
true courtesy spontaneously springs.
This large affinity characteriZes all truly
great souls and constitutes an essential
part OF their greatness. Some of the man
iiesCatiOns of its presence are perfect SIM
nlicity of manner. entire absence of all act
ing for effect, total uncOnsciousness of self,
We see these in persons who have Travelled
extensively in our own and other coun-
tries, and who have thus been so thrown
into sympathetic relation with people of
various nationalities and civilizations that
their citizenship is consciously cosmopol-
itan. We see it in philanthrophists who
may all their lives have lived in the narrow
precincts Of a single township, yet whose
benevolent activities have brought them
in direct personal contact with the poor.
the ignorant, the degraded, the unfortu-
nate. no less than with the happy, the
wealthy, the prosperous, the intelligent.
There is no need of circumnavigating the
earth 10 acquire this largeness of heart
whence true politeness springs, since
nearly every neighborhOod furnishes fit
ting Representatives of all conditions of the
race, and al our very doors we may CON-
municate, If we will, with China, with
Ethiopia, with almost every type of hui
mainly.
In great many neighborhoods there is
found a certain class tlat pride themselves
on their blood or their correctness of de-
pertinent, or their discrimination of char
acter, and think the best way of asserting
themselves is to pass those socially be-
meath them without recognition. This
spirit once manifested in a community is
as contagious as small pox or scarlet fever,
and almost as mischievous, and soon in
fects all save the truly healthfill souls in
the place. These, breathing the high at
mosphere of universal sympathy, untaint-
ed by the narrow preiudiceS that torment
and gangrene lean and meager souls, can
afford a kind word or glance to all they
meet. giving the faithful lab0rer due recog-
milton on account Of the manhood that is
in him and the substantial good he rem
ders society, tightening the heart of the
humble servant girl who honestly tries to
do her duty and who in her sphere is as
Indispensable as the sun in his, giving the
meedof just appreciation and due respect
10 all however high or low their station
or calling. eve .y--.rr- .-....
Politeness has been called /" benevolence
in little ihings.- From thevery nature of
this definition. il appears that this benev-
offence in little things can only come from
q large, a universal benevolence of heart
from which all smaller streams flow as
rivulets from common fountain.
Instead. then, of placing great stress on
.he mere outside show. porting over books
IN how to behave. practising poses before
he mirror, let tbes weightier matters of
he law-real kindliness of feeling toward
very body, broad and catholic sympathies
With all classes of pecple-1et these be
cultivated, and all little matters of eti-
Iuette viii take care of themselyes.-N
z. 7Tsbare.