The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-08-19

is generally upon the part of one or more
who should have been examples and
leaders of the occason. The fall of q
spider from the ceiling is scarcely notica-
bic, but that of cat could not be easily
hidden. Only the leaders of society
have much power to "stiffen" the social
circle, and when done it is a noticeable
fall from the ceiling of good manners,
By far the most general breach is one
which instead of stifTeraing society makes
it entirely too timber and pliable. As
an example, lady is literally pulled to
the piano in the midst of a large circle,
with, 80, we must have some music !!
The irst note has not died away until
half the company is in an uproarous laugh
or still worse, tumbling over chairs in an
exciting game of blind man s-buff The
performer seeks the earliest possible
place to close, and is then greeted by
some one who could have heard single
measure of the harmony with the very
doubtful compliment. 80, that was splen-
did; play more p Some girls seem to
think people ought to take it as great
complimet just to be killed by their
hands. We are not now referring to
that slow process of murder they some
times adopt which makes lovers,
"Burn like salamanders
On the Goals of loves warm hearth"
If manners in this age are stiff and un-
yielding in some particulars, they are
far too loose and pliable in others, and if
girls in this matter are far superior to
other people for the most part, they are
yet the builders of the manners of other
people in such degree that an improve
ment by them is a national gain.
That we have not told you precisely
what good manners are is not our fault;
no one has ever informed US, and we are
under no promise to you. We know
what they are not; and most of the books
written on the subject are on the mega
tive side. We can only give definition.
A good manner is that unexplainable
something by which personal worth is
given through lifes varied associations
to others without losing itself, and in
such a way as to win appreciation with
out exciting pity. No rules can be laid
down to cover the case. They are per-
sonal property and as distinctive as per
sonality itself. They are free from awk-
wardness and equally the reverse of boor-
ishness upon the one hand or pedantry
upon the other; but awkwardness is not
always want of culture by any means.
Many of the most intelligent and highly
cultivated in society; it is the result of
embarrassment Sensitive natures with
great refinement of feeling who are nat
urally reserved and whose labor is in Sc
clusion are much more liable to this than
others. 1t is generally found among lit
erary men 1t should seldom be among
ladies, for their place is one which con-
stantly attracts society and they have
little excuse for exclusion from it. In
short good manners is a science, unwrit-
ten it is true, but like it's twin sister good
taste, acknowledged by all people with
little variation of judgment and no ex-
ceptions. This is one of the things for
which the voice of the people seems to be
the voice of God, of which nature speaks
in all her unlimited expanse of beautiful
fitness, and toward the attainment of
which we are urged by the wonderful
harmony and music of the spheres.