Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-11-17
DaiIp Kflmebsl 5ourral.
The Philosophy of Manners.

The Philosophy of Manners.
1t has long been the subject of com
ment that while the mind of the average
American pupil in our schools is crowded
and frequently overloaded with compare
lively useless studies, and he is indus.
triously travelled on the map all over for
eign lands in search of obscure places,
to decipher strange names. there is no or
ganized system for teaching the polite
art" indeed. it Is a deficiency that has
been unfortunately overlooked. and the
| question is pertinentlv asked: III this
important study-the cultivation of good
manners both at home and in schools
to be continually neglected; il the youth
of our country are permitted to escape
the atmosphere of geniality. refinement.
morality, and affection which pervades the
paternal mansion, and become subServient
TO the influence of the vicious elements of
heterogeneous associations, contract
ing habits of uncouthness. slovenliness
and impertinence, what will be the con-
dition Of society when the present genera
ton has grown to manhood and woman
hood ?"
This is a suggestive inquiry, and one
which calls for serious consideration on
the part OF every parent. As a remedy
for this defect the most potent agents are
home culture and home influence. 1t is
the innate pride, the natural disposition
of every parent to see his child excel to see
it bright, intelligent, and courteous. But
many OF them begin at the wrong end. 1t is
manifestly true that there is too much val
unable time absolutely wasted in follow
ing the frivolous and superficial vagaries
of the so-called fashionable world: too
little attentions given to the practical cul-
tivaton of natural. simple. and unaffected
manners the first leads to arrogance.
selfshness, and ridicule; the second in
spires simplicity, modesty and respect.
Children should be taught that ostentation.
gold, and pedantic learning are not the
elements which constitute lady or gen
tleman; that the personal worth of a man
or woman is not to be measured by ex-
travagance in dress by the luxury and
magnificence OF their surroundings, not
alone by broad intellectual development.
The term lady or gentleman as applied
indiscriminately to the common people is
misnomer. To give more emphatic and
explicit explanation. we say common
people" to signify the general masses.
1t is custom which has applied the term
|'collectively, but we must confess custom
has erred egregiously, for there are many
TO day masquerading under the title who
are an intolcrable nuisance to every COM
munity, and dangerous parasite upon
the responsibility and dignity of polite and
refined society. Moral character, there
fore, is an essential requisite to good man.
ners, and the character OF person is dis
covered by his speech and action.
The true gentleman and lady never drift
into mannerisms. At home ,on the street,
or in the Office their suavity of manner is
distinguishing characteristic. Affable
of society polite without parade, to all
"They show attention of that kind
Which fatters. but fattery conveyed
In such a sort as can not leave behind
trace unworthy"
Civility costs nothing to possess it. The
laborer in his rough clothes delving for
his daily bread can often give a lesson in
the art to the rich man who rolls by in
his carriage the plain shop girl, by her
pleasant conversation and modest de-
meanor. compels the respect and admra-
ton of her customer in silks and velvets.
Poverty need be no excuse for the absence
of good-manners, for, like christianity,
politeness is universal; it is within easy
reach of every one, and once acquired de-
mands constant practice.
There is nothing delicate, elegant. or
refined about demonstrative manners
Forced poiteness is vulgar and obtrusive,
exciting disgust and courting ridicule.
Snobbery should not be tolerated much
less countenanced in really refined society :;
and to attract attention on the public
streets by laughing or calling after a per-
son is a gross improperly. To make
game of other peoples misfortunes, or to
ridicule old age, shows lack of
good breeding. and often recoils
with telling effect upon the perpetrator.
On day not long since two ladies were
walking down Broadway chatting famil-
iarIy: An aged man. with coat out at the
elbows. slipped and fell on the pavement
almost directly in from of them. A sub
dued giggle escaped the lips of the ladies,
audible, however. to the quick ears of the
old man. The incident was perhaps for
gotten, and few evenings afterwards the
ladies were invited to fashionable party
at the palatial residence of Judge =
As they entered the room, the host was in
troduced to them, and in him they recog-
nized the "old man. who met with the
accident and at whom they had laughed.
Their discontinue and embarrassment can
be better imagined than described.
To sum up-in this progressive age, we
are losing sigh. of the good old fashioned
manners" that characterized our country
men years ago. The manners of to day
are too unstable, too fippant, and too
demonstative. We want dignity without
austerity; civility without ostentation re-
finement without affection; and we want
little more genuine, unequivocal polite
ness. The only way to secure these is for
parents to begin at home; SOW the seeds
there that they may germinate, spring up,
and bear abundant fruit.
j. T. PENNINGTON.
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