The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-04-20

1
kind sincerity. The gentle nature
shows itself in the gentle man. I be-
ieve true gentleman might go any,
where in the world, and never be mis-
taken for any thing else, though he
might be utterly ignorant of the vary
ing customs. Ceremonies are differ.
emit in every country, but true polite
ness is everywhere the same" SO Gold
smith expresses it; and there is an old
nursery rhyme which runs:
"Politeness is to do and say
The kindest things in the kindest way"
Not long ago / made visit of some
weeks at friends house. While there
| took a cold, and there came a day or
two when could not read, nor could l
speak aloud. so conversation was impos-
sible. Shall l soon forget one evening
when Aleck brought his pile of picture
books to my side, and for an hour or
more turned the leaves patiently, and
told me the story of every pictureP He
was not bookish boy by any means;
he liked active sports much better, but
he did his ''kindest thing in the kindest
way"
Please notice also that nearly all the
acts of courtesy which we are apt to
consider ceremonious, and therefore
meaningless. can be traced to some
kindly effort, to some unsel1ish atten-
ton shown to another.
! know there are good men, learned
men, who persistently ignore the
smaller courtesies and excuse them
selves on the ground of high occupa-
ton. They say: II can not remember
to lift my hat to a lady, or to rise and
open door for her, or place chair, Or
always acknowledge favor promptly.
My thoughts are full Of such or such a
subject" Well, l suppose such men
wash their faces every morning without
giving much thought to it!
Others there are who do offer these
and similar attentions, but with such q
fuss and appearance of trying, as to de-
stroy all their charm. These two ex-
tremes bring the lesson 1 wol!d have
you heed; the lesson of a habit of
courtesy. The best breeding does all
kind acts, renders all polite attentions,
spontaneously but quietly, as il they
cost no thought-as naturally as breath
ing. And this can come only from the
constant daily repetition of such
courtesies, as opportunities occur, until
it would be far more difficult to omit
than to perform then. The boy must
begin as boy, if he wishes, when q
man, to bear
"Without abu',e
The grand old name of gentleman"
Let us not forget also that to do the
kindest thing in the kindest way" will
affect our manner toward these who are
poorer, or in lower position, or in
any way less fortunate than we. All
what rare delicacy it requires then. not
to put on airs, not to seem superior,
not to condescend in our politeness.
There is very serious side to this
subject. The outward act reacts upon
the inner self. He who thinks manners
I'll = VI liz consequence anu LII DO-
ing careless or rude, runs great risk of
growing coarse in spirit. There is also
much to consider in the real good to
others, as we'll as the pleasure we af-
ford them, by the regard we pay to the
amenities of life. The great question
of influence comes in here, and so you
see responsibility attaches itself to
what we sometimes call trivial things
My boys, be courteous through and
through, and do not forget the exhibit
ton OF it. You know coXcomb is one
who only affects to be a gentleman.
But you want to be real gentleman.
Remember what Tennyson said Of his
friend:
For who can always act? buthe
To whom Il thousand memories call
Not being less, but more than all
The gentlencss he seemed to be,
Best seemed the thing he was, and Joined
Each Office of the social hour
To noble manners, as the flower
And native growth of noble mind"
N. Y. Observer.