Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-10
The Beatitude of brutality.
London World. January 2:

l -
1t is, perhaps, in our common, everyday
life that we are most actively irritated and
annoyed by the genus brute In this
overcrowded country, where politeness in
address and bearing has not yet been elevated
into one of the fine arts, we are at their
mercy continually: our peace and comfort
are often altogether in their hands. In the
haunts and public places where people now
a-days must meet perforce the brute con-
stantly afiicts us, and we cannot escape him.
Sometimes he is dressed in little brief au-
thority, policeman, for example, although
rarely, who is rudely unsympathetic. and
threatens to s'run us inn because we have al
lowed ourselves to be robbed more often it
is an official of the underground railways,
who considers it an insult to be asked ques-
ton or to be supposed that he is there for
anything but his own good pleasure. Brutes
yet again unequalled for incivility and per-
emptory airs may be found at the doors of
Burlington house, in the livery of the Royal
Academy. In the streets brutes iostle US
freely if we will let them; they blind us,
quite without apology, with the sharp points
of their sticks or umbrellas, which they carry
recklessly and carelessly under their arms
At the theatre many well-dressed, seemingly
well-to-do, brutes sometimes spoil all our
pleasure. Ladies, in irreproachable cos
tunes, giggle or gossip aloud, OF carry on
unblushing firtations, callous to the discom-
fort of neighbors who have come to hear the
play and not their outspoken philanderings.
Gentlemen ostensibly, in faultless evening
attire, talk of their private affairs, and laugh
at their own jokes through three acts, or,
when the drop-scene falls, push past every
one in order to go out and smoke. In the
railway carriage the selfish dog in the manager
spirit of the true brute often stands out in
the strongest relief. It is not only that he
will not recognize the claims of lady to the
best seat nor open the carriage-door when
she wishes to get out but he arrogates the
exclusive control of the window, and has it
in his own good will whether we shall be
asphyxiated OF die of cold. If he be similar
~ situated at a restaurant, he insists that
his own personal convenience and comfort
comes before every one else in the room;
and although ladies be carried out fainting,
or, conversely, men wear hats and great
coats, he sits stolid and unconcerned, refus-
ing resolutely to surrender control of the
fresh air. Such brutes, it is to be feared,
have none of that disinterestedness in little
as well as in great things-the wish to oblige
and defer to the will of others which has
been described as the real foundation of good
manners.
And yet brutes have the best of it,
Thoroughgoing brutes generally get on in
the world. Nothing wounds them: they suf-
fer no qualms of conscience, no stings of re-
morse; they are seldom distressed by the
misfortunes or troubles of relations and
friends. Being entirely without bowels of
compassion, they will have without mercy
the uttermost farthing and the last ounce of
flesh. They marry often the incest women;
they are clothed in purple and fine linen,
live on the daintiest fare, have the best of
everything that is going, and are commonly
rich, prosperous and successful to the end of
their days.