Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-03-22
AARON BURR.s WAYS


4 Charming Grace Of Manner That Modem
Society Men Might Copy.
A chapter devoted to DR.. Hague's
early impression on that remarkable
parsonage in our American history.
Aaron Burr. deserves moro than
passing notice. The family relation
ship to his accomplished and brilliant
wife gave the schoolboy almost daily
opportunities for observing the charm
of Colonel Burr's manner and CONVEX
sation. DR.. Hague enlarges with en-
thusiasm upon the ease with which
that accomplished man put himself in
communication with people of every
class, from the highest to the lowest.
from the most cultured to the rudest,
old and young alike; instinctively
quick to adjust himself. as to thought
tones and manner. to any personal
presence whatsoever. confident in his
ability to win responsive feeling. and
realize the aim, or even the within,
that may have impelled him at the
time" For illustration he describes
the entrance of the Colonel into the
parlor. once when he had himself been
left there for a moment alone: "His
physique, air. style of movement realize
:. boys highest ideal of the soldier and
the gentleman, while his keen and
genial glance and sunny smile. ex-
pressive of personal interest as real
rs if had been senator, awaken a
feeling quickly responsive to the tone
of cheer in his greeting: We'll, Will,
Tn glad to see you. Have they left
YOU here alone?' DR.. Hague sums up
the aggregate of the impression which
this fascinating man made upon him as
a boy; and says that Colonel Burr re-
allied to his youthful conception the
highest type of cultured manhood. and
awakened an intense desire to appro-
pirate and assimilate the elements OF
manly power of which he was ever be-
fore me as the most complete ex-
poncnt
DIR. Hague has made some attempts
to anaiyze the secret of the wonderful
social success of Aaron Burr, and
ascribes it to the ncver-failing courtesy
and cordially which he manifested to
all. and to his readiness to adapt him.
self to others and to express interest in
them and sympathy for them. He
pleased because, buoyant with life and
enthusiasm. he sought to please. A
careful consideration of this chapter
might repay some of the young aspir-
ants to social success at the present
day. For some years type of char
actcr that has long been known in Eu-
rope has begun to be copied in this
country. 1t consists in the adoption of
Il sort of blase manner which seems de-
, signed to announce that the happy in
dvidual is so profoundly impressed
with his own Importance that he can
not possibly make an effort to please
any one else; that he has already seen
every thing in the would that is worth
seeing. and done every thing that is
worth doing; that he has judged every
thing. and has concluded that there is
nothing more than can possibly inter-
est him. With this, there is an effort
to cultivate perfect inexpressiveness OF
manner, and to look down with a kind of
pitiful condescension on the weakness
o. those who manifest any capacity for
hearty enjoyment or any indication of
enthusiasm or interest in any thing.
Aaron Burr certainly did not affect a
Buddhist's stolidity; and profound
contemplation of nothing is not the
highest achievement of the human in
iel!ect.-E. L. Kinsley, in Ncw En-
f,iCEH