The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-06-07
Good Manners Necessary to True
Success.

Il is the bearing of a man towards
his fellows which oftentimes. more
than any other circumstance, promotes
or obstructs his advancement in life.
Among the many good qualities of
mind and heart absolutely necessary
for merchant TO insure worldly sue
cess, there is no one the importance OF
which is more real, yet which at this
day Is so generally moderated by
many Of our business men. clerks and
statesmen, as courtesy-that feeling of
kindness, dignity and love for our fell
lows which expresses itself in pleasing
manners Is is an undeniable fact that
many of us are unfortunate III not be-
ing the happy possessors by nature of
this desirable and charming quality,
good manners For all such it is an
imperative duty to study. to cultivate
and improve themselves in this qualiti
cation by keeping q vigilsnt and watch,
full care over all their actions and trans.
actions in everyday life with their fell
low-beings. History is crowded with
examples showing that, as in literature,
it is theldelicate. indefinable charm OF
style, not the thought. which makes. a
work immortal.
Emerson says: "Give boy address
and accomplishments, and you give him
the mastery of places and fortunes
wherever he goes; he has not the
trouble OF earning or owning them; they
solicit him to enter and possess. Among
strangers. good manner is the best
letter of recommendation, for a great
deal depends upon first impressions,
and these are favorable or unfavorable
according TO = mans bearing, as he is
polite or awkward. shy or lf-possessed.
Manners. In fact, are minor morals. and
a rude man is generally assumed to be
bad man."
Lord Chesterfield wrote to his son,
You had better return a dropped fan
genteelly than give thousand pounds
awkwardly; you had better refuse u
favor gracefully than grant it clumsily.
All your Greek can never advance you
from Secretary to Envoy, or from
Envoy to ambassador, but your address,
your air. your manner. if good, may"
When We come to look into the
history. past aud present. of our best
and most successful business men of
the present day, and find that nine
out of te:. are men of pleasing manners,
and that they owe in great measure
their success in life to this important
trait of character. for by it they have
made friends and customers, though
they may not have had dollar OF
capital to commence life with. Their
good manners and pleasing address
made capita, for them or brought it to
them. As Chesterfield said of the
Duke of Marlborough. his charming
manner often changed an enemy into a
friend. and to be denied a favor by him
was more pleasing than to receive one
from another man.
A true gentleman is recognized by
his regards for the rights and feelings
of others. even in matters the most tri-
vial. In society he is quiet, unobsEu.ive
putting on no airs, nor limiting by word
or manner that be deems himself bet
ter. wiser. or richer than ahy one abou.
him. He Is never stuck up mol looks
down upon others because they have
not titles. honors or social POSITIONS
equal to his own. He prefers to act
rather than to talk, to be rather than
to seem; is distinguished by his quick
perception of and prompt attention to
those little things that may cause
pleasure or pain TO others. Honesty OF
purpose. frankness and cordiality mark
all his intercourse with his fellows and
however high his station. the humblest
man feels instantly at ease IN his pres
ence Almost every man can recall
cases within his knowledge where
pleasing manners have made the for
tunes of lawyers, doctors, divines, mer-
chants, and, in short, men III every
walk of life.