The sun., 1890-01-13
The Manners Of the BOstonians.

Our esteemed contemporary, the Boston
Transcript, has begun the publication OF a
series OF "Studies OF Bostonians" which
promises to give some interesting informa-
ton In regard to that curious race. The
first number shows an intimate knowledge
OF the subject, and reveals some unpleasant
things about the BostoniRns, and especially
about their manners. It ie notorious that
the Bostonians cultivate depressing frigid-
ity OF manners, partly, perhaps, as result
OF generations OF East wind, partly In token
Of their superiority to the barbarian or ex-
ira Bostonese world. There Is an effort to
show only pale, cold. intellectual smile,
which chills like cake Of ice. To persons
not familiar with the painful process where
by the Bostonian suppresses the exterior
representation Of emotion, as Chinese girl
congresses her feet. the sight Of properly
trained Boston countenance is almost q
shock. In going down Beacon street one
gets an impression that the Eden Mus4e
company Of wax works is out for an airing.
And the Bostonians shake hands even
among themselves in that genial style
which made Golden compare the meeting
OF Lord JOHN RUSSELL and the late
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS to two oysters
shaking hands.
Tho Transcript essayist frankly explains
the coldness Of Boston manners BY saying
that Boston has no manners. He is worth
hearing on this point:
"what 10 known as the Boston manner ID either gen.
uino inheritsnco from England or an imitation The
initiation you need not bo annoyed BY. for those Who
engaged IN are trying to mako themselves admi
rabe In that way 1t Il their attempt at being agreeable
a0IaR TfOaN hO haYR
thing in their blood could different II they ied
that 70 say long they live 10 their native Boston
The way to get along easily with them to be ndior
ent to their Indeed might almost say they
have no mannerG They may have learning
talent and character, but It not seldom happens
that the very possession Of these qualities is
regarded 20 excuse for the want Of mannprh Iou
will probably be surprised 10 IND that some OF tho bese
men-the best fellows In every SenSe-to whom 1 snan
introduce you whom come to town. viii meet you NJ
rst - II you both at funeral and they thouGht
you had no right to bO there This wears on lttle
gradually By and by they win treat you II they like
you II you had right 70 ride In ono OF the hrse
hacks funeral And before very long you viii und
yourself intimate friend Of or two Of these men
Then will dawn upon you the startling truth that you
know this man and that through and through Hou
will see that he IL only wanting IN good maunorH
but he s also the bad tricks Of hypocrisy which
disnGurs some Of tho persons whose man.
nsrs We like beRL"
Not only is the Bostonian without man
ners, but "a Bostonian Of the Bostonians is
shy Of himself" It's his nature to be un'
easy, and uneasy he will be, and 1t is time
wasted to try and set him at his ease. He
Is made uneasy by his conscience. 30 says
our author; but as for ourselves We hold
that the Boston cookery Il responsible for
the uneasiness In question. It is matter
for the physician, not the moralist.
It seems that the Bostonian doesn't wish
to be as disagreeable as he really is. Half
the time he "is internally curslng himself
for being 80 awkward, and wishing that he
could be more attractive. They do want to
be attractive" On the other hand. they are
and "they have neither repose
nor definite aims" These. we may add, are
among the faults Of Mr.. LAWRENCE sULLI-
VAN. But let us see what the Bostonian
does in his efforts to be attractive:
when you nrst make the acquaintance Of genuine |
Bostonian will talk you about the shortcomings Of
third persons; when you know him better, he viii con-
IoSS you his faults whom he IL intimate with you
ho will tell yOu defOots Of your nature Whioh
vou cannot This hO thinks he ought DO accord
Ing to standard Of what candid friend should be-"
The Boston man is just the kind OF man |
from whom GEORGE CANNING prayed 80 fer |
vently to be saved. On the whole, the pic. |
ture Of the Bostonian which the Transcript |
observer paints is not very fiattering, but 1t |
seems in some respects good likeness.