The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1888-11-23
LAKE CHARLES CMCASEU PARISH LOUISIANA NOVEMBER
True POIKteness.

True polteness Is founded on consider
alton for others, yet 1t Is so much a matter
of form or habit that politeness is sometimes
shown where there is no consideration. 1t
is ometimes neglected where there is affec-
ton and every reason for kindly considera-
ton. Thus in the intercourse of dear rela-
tiVes made familiar with each other by daily
meetings, there Is naturally less formality
than between people who are only thrown
together by chance for few hours or days
at long intervals But along with laying
aside of formslitY some necessary features
of polteness are sometimes sacrificed by
relatives and very close friends. The youth
who is careful to salute his lady friends and
acqualntances, according to their usRgss Of
good society, sometimes fOTgets to pay the
same respect to his sister, not because he is
wanting In affectionate regard, but because
he has grown so familiar with her that II
seems awkward to him to treat her in any
formal way. Yet when he meets her ln com
pany he should, out Of his consideration for
her, be markedly polite and attentive, says
the Baltimore Sun. There are some families
not nOticeably impolite In society whose
members drop all conVentionalitles In their
home intercourse; they scarcely greet each
no apology If they leave the table before the
family meal is concluded, and generally dis
regard the set rules they observe In the
presence of strangers. II they meet each
other in the street or In company, q careless
nod sutiices for recognition. The near rela-
tive is left to care for himself or herself,
while the utmost attention Is given to the
comfort Of aGquaintances for whom there Is
no real regard. Such conduct should be
avoided on account of its reflex action. Al
though pOliteneBs necessarily follows to
a great extent to set forms, 1t should have
Its origin in affection for the individual, or,
In more general way, In consideration for
others. When the young man begins to be-
have at home with less pOliteness than he eX-
hibits abroad, there is much danger that
gradually he will lose that consideration for
his immediate relatives which he should
have and exhibit He may begin by en-
tering the family room without formal
greeting; absorbed In his own thoughts or
pursuits he will soon begin to leave his sister
and his mother to look out for themselves In
the smaller affairs of life, and gradually, but
surely, he will cultimate a selfish disposition
in home affairs that will make him a bad or
indifferent son or brother. 1t is a small
matter in itself whether a young man finds
clair for his sister or mother when they
would be seated, anticipates their desire for
a glass Of water, CheeFfully helps them to
little attentions without which, and in his
absence they could get along very well by
their own exertions, but It is not a small
matter when neglect Of such attentions les
sens bis consideration for them, deVOlYes
his sel8shuess and gradually undeTmines the
affection that should unite the family. Polite
ness in society between Rcquaintances or
friends is demanded by custom. There is no
need to remind readers that 1t should be ex-
hibited, POliteneBs at home and between
near relatives, even between husband and
wife, though of much more importance In
every way, Is not SO obviously necessary
and 1t is too often neglected. Gentlemen Of
what is known as the "Old school" were and
are scrupulOus. In the observance Of the
forms Of polite society towards their wives
and other female relatives, and In the home
circle but the later generation seems dis
posed to treat relatives with less foFmality
and respect than is habitually shown to-
strangers and acquaintance The tendency
should be resisted, however, and every en-
cOuragemeht given in the home circle to an
observance Of the rules of polite society,
modified only by a spontaneous exhibition
Of that greater affection which exists be-
tween the members of a family group. 20