The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-07-19

the same mRtteH-A conversation which u
comparing or contrasting Of notea, There
are then no elementary principles to be
laid down T; they can take 20 much tol
granted ; they understand each osherl
alluaiona, hints, gussses, tntsTences. Ed
mund Burke used IN say that the highest
conversation was where y built upon
the remark Of the other. That is wholly
different from Johnson's method, which
was to knock down or destroy hia neigh
boris remark. Burke was right.
Ifany further answer be needed TO thoae
who think that literature kills CopVerRa'
ton, it is found in the fact that the men
and women once famous for this power
were mostly learned, and always extern.
siysly informed. They seemed TO read
everything and to notice everything.
AAintenon, De stael, Roland, seyigle,
Lady Mary, Mrs. Montagn, Walpole,
Burke, Reynolds, Johnson, Sheridan,
Sydney Smith, MaCkintosh-did they con-
verse much because they knew little2
This one question contains the whole ar
gument.
II modern literature Injuries conversG.
ton II 10 not because we read too much,
but because We digest too little, fol- 1t Is
digestsd knowledge which makes
good conversation possible, To be fax
ible, conversation must
DIAL WITH LIFE
as well as with literature, Here, sgain,
knowledge 10 needed, but the knowledge
which comes by observation, Now, o close
observer lives in romanCea, and will never
lack something good to cay, for life ia more
iruitinlO ri topics than books. Pepys, Wrax.
hal, WGlpo!e,IHellAnd, Prosper Merimee,
Ohivalier Wykof and other writer's Of
pleasant gossip have ahOwn how much we
may see II We look around with the eyes
Of the mind.
We have only glanced at the spirit and
general principles Of conversation. 1t
would be interesting TO view 1t definitely
% an art, and TO evolve the rules by which,
II peraeveringly followed, one might &C.
qulre skill aud eGse in this accomplish.
ment. But we cannot extend this paper
even to suggest them. The whole subject
should be warmly urged upon these who
are nov forming habits for lie, Apart
from the direct advantages OF converse.
ton its reflex influence upon morals and
manners 10 very great, since there are
needed In ita practice oil the qualities Of
ATRuE GENTLEMAN.
Quiet self confidence, q proper estimate
Of ons's compRnlon-an appearance Of re.
spect and regard for him q manner that
puts him so perfectly al ease, that he will
make the best OF himself both In his attl.
tudes and In his talk, which instantly
checks his embarrassment wheneyeriE may
show subsequent signs Of rising, A tOlerA.
ton Of his npinionsi an apparent blindness
to infrmities OF ioim or constitution and
to venal faults consequent upon detective
training; proper accession to his wishes;
such q quick study Of character as will pre-.
vent our rouSirg his passions or touching
within him secret springs OF pain; such
comprehension Of hls idiosyncrasisS, such
rapid differences from all We see and hear,
will guide us both In drawing out bis
powers, and in 30 adapting our own as to
give him the greatest plsasurs-All this
displayed or done ainCeTely 10 at opoe the
requirement and The proof OF thorough
good breeding; a perfect conversation an
epilOme Of all good manners.