The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-20
sociability and Filtration.

1t is probable that there are no two terms in
the English language more often COMPOUNDED
with each other than are these two. Webster,
whose authority is sufficiently good to serve
for our standard in this defines them thus;
sociability inclination to mix in friendly
converse; Irritation, playing ut courtship,
coquetry.
With this decided distinction, the common
confusion of the words is inexcusable, and
argues, on the part of those who are guilty,
either gross ignorance or a loveof mischief
making, if not both. Whatever may be the
cause of the misuse, serious harm is often the
result
Sociability is not confined to either sex, or
to those of any particular age. 1t prompts
one to feel an interest in the amusements of
childhood, in the studies of youths and maid
ems in the Affections of old age, and in the
promise of infancy. 1t finds something re-
sponsive in them all.
A lady and gentleman, both teachers, re-
Gently conversing together, the lady remarked
to the gentleman that she enjoyed teaching;
she liked the companionship of schoolgirls;
she had great deal of sympathy with them,
with their work. with their trials, and even
with their nonsense; more with the latter,
| often, than she found it wise to express. She
said she liked boys also; and was continuing
the conversation by giving her reasons, when
..
where they were standing, and said, with the
courtesy of a gentleman of the old school,
| LAYING his hand on his heart 'Oh, how wish
/ were school-boy" She answered with a
| return of compliment, "But also like them
all the way up" And did her answer not
| embody the true secret of her sociability ?
She was social; she liked the people, in spite
of the many faults and frailties, she found in
the majority of those with whom she came in
contact something that was congenial. She
knew the good was there somewhere, and that
she looked for, that she found, and for that
| she liked them. She found something in each
one to which she could respond with the best
| of herself Not necessarily with all of the
best; the entirety was reserved for special
| and dear friends. Just how she did it would
| be impossible to say, but she drew US all to a
| higher level when in her presence. We stood
ain a large place" 1t may have been that
her heart was filled with a general fraternal
love for humanity as such. The true meaning
of the term sociability, as exemplified by her.
may have been the synonym of the best
religion, or of the sum of the best in all of the
all religions that the world has ever known
1t is to be regretted that we do not more
frequently meet with this quality in its high
est and best sense. Too often we fnd where
it exists in spirit that its influence is lessened
by its being dwarfed and hedged in by a lack
of confidence in ones self, or by fear of in.
truding on those whom it would gladly NEE,
in pleasant, kindly intercourse. To overcome
the former difficulty large share of self
forgetfulness is essential, and to avoid the
latter considerable tact isdemanded. Besides
depth of character and a liberia
education must underlie true sociability;
character established by a constant and con.
tinuous discipline of self; an education gained
less from schools and books than from study
of people; and practice of constant courtesy
and kindness.
We must leave entirelyout of our considera
ton the unkindness which prompts the saying
of harsh and unpleasant things, as the socia
bility we have in view is far above that level
asociability which takes the stranger in to oul
homes, or boarding-houses, even, and makes
him feel that he is not alone in the world
that he is not entirely unnecessary
to the social life of the world, to which he ant
every one should, and ought, to contribut,
something.
There is misinterpretation of the tern
"sociability," which forbids those of a socia
nature to express themselves, lest their motive
should be misunderstood; lest
J familiarity should be returned where