Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-11
UNAPPRECIATED GENEROSITY
BY CHRISTINE TERHUNE HERRICK.

BY CHRISTINE TERHUNE HERkl
lCoDyri0Ated, 1851
One of the unexplained mysteries of
daily living is the readiness with which
people bestow advice. The position Of
the monitor is delicate, even when it is
forced upon one. The request for counsel
usually solcits confirmation of a deci-
sion already formed. 1t is rarely that the
petitioner comes with an unpreludiced
mind and full intention to follow the
course laid out for him, and the mentor is
apt to ge5 himself into trouble if he ex-
presses his own ideas too strongly. The
diplomat recognizes this weakness and is
careful to learn the trend OF mis- ques-
toner's inclination and to make his coun-
sci agree with this
With gratuit0us advice this is dOubly
and trebly true. The ingratitude that is
said to be one of the crying sins OF the
age is manifested more clearly in nothing
than in this. The too generous bestowers
of warning and suggestions receive little
thanks for their pains. Rebuffs do not
deter them from the exercise, but seem
rather to nave the opposite effect, as
though they would testify their cheerful
readiness TO perseyere in what they are
pleased to deem their duty in the face of
all obstacles.
There was probablysnever vet any one
engaged in literary work who was not
besieged by unasked suggestions OF plots
for his stores and topics for his essays,
usually so utterly infeasible as to be
ridiculous to the unfortunate recipient.
An instance OF this was given by a pre-
minent novelist, the writer of a book
which made a tremendous hit and was for
time the talk OF every one. While it
was running through one edition alter
another the author was hOnored by visit
from a worthy uncle, the pastor OF coun-
try church, himself one of the most prOsy
and prOliX of writers, whose effusIOnS
rendered heavier the dull pages of a de-
nominational religious paper. Up in his
parsonage among the hills he had heard
of the fame OF his young relative, and bad
forthwith proceeded to sketch out series
of Bible narratives which the novelist
was to put into a ''taking" form for the
use of Sunday schools. He devoted q
whole evening to the exposition OF his
plan, indicating the proper method OF
treating different points and suggesting
touches here and there that would render
the tale more attractive. Having deliv-
cred himself of his mission, he returned
10 his quiet parish with The firm
conviction that by his aid the young
author had been put in the way of i'm
proving his style and broadening his re-
putation.
No other class, however, is so deluged
with unsought advice as young mothers.
Every elder sister or brother, aunt or
uncle, who has ever had any remote con-
nection with a baby feels herself fully
capable Of giving useful information and
of bestowing adverse criticism. Mothers
who have themselves undergone this
penance are sometimes cbsry Of counsel,
useful though it might be, but the unmar-
ried and childless usually slime in this
department. The right OF mother to
take the risk OF imperlling her chiid'S
life, if she thinks best, without interior
ence from Indifferent sources, has never
been acknowledged with sufficient clear
ness, while the privilege of Offering sug-
gestiOn and rebuke is claimed by even the
passing stranger. One mother, travelling
in the cars with a delicate little one
whom she Keeps muflled TO avoid the
dr3ught ana cinders from an open VIM
dow, is coolly informed by stranger in
front of her that she is entirely wrong to
bundle up the child in that style, and
proceeds to enforce the counsel by raising
the sash adjoining her own seat and ad-
mitJing fresh current of air upon the
already croupy infant. Another mother,
when half wild with anxiety over her
sick baby, is told by a well-dIsposed old
lady that illness is not Surprising when
the poor little creatures stomach is
Systematically overloaded. A more gen.
erOus adviser volunteers her opinion that
nothing is the matter with her baby ex-
cept that IL is halt starved. A pert girl
OF 10 tells young matron that she has no
idea of bcw to hold child, while a
spiuster OF 80 accuses the mother of hard
heartedness for insisting upon regular
habits OF eating and sleeping for the little
one. 1t Is not marvellous that the feeling
which actuates the victims of these
instructions should not be OF unmixed
gratitude.
But this liberality in things that cost
the givers nothing does not stop with ad-
wee. Moved by the same spirit are those
who are certain that the recital OF their
personal experiences must be OF absorbing
interest 10 those whom they may honor
With their confidence. Firm in this per-
suasion, they inhict upon friends and
acquaintance accounts of their indi-
vidual tastes and pecullarities, expecting
their auditors to be suitably impressed by
the phenomenal character OF these
Family histories, sentimental episodes
and the like are also forthcoming. Morti-
Tying as It may be TO own that mankind is
sufficiently selfish not TO be entranced by
minute descriptions OF the feelings,
tdiosyncrasies and adventures Of others,
IL ~ nevertheless wise to take the act
into consideration II one would avoid the
reputation OF an egotislical nuisance.
Inc witty definition Of a bore, ga man
who talks so much about himself that he
gives you no chance to talk about your.
sell" embodies truth that il universally
appreciated would do much for the reform
OF conversation.
Theman who is most generous verbally