The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-03-13
The Beauty Of Good Manners.

The best school of good manners is, of
course, the good home, and the mother
teacher gives the lessons which last long
est. Perhaps the place where good and
bad manners are most evident Is the table
where three times day the family meet.
Familiarity with table etiquette can be
learned only by the constant practice of
oourtesies which are acknowledged to be
sensible and beautiful. The use of the
fork instead of the knife in conveying
food to the mouth, the slipping from the
side of the spoon instead OF from the
front, the nice handling OF table furni-
ture in general, is automatic with chill
dren who have been carefully trained.
But mothers are not always so careful
as they should be In teaching their chill
dren to behave well at the table. A
bright little girl, ten years old, visited a
friend. and remained some days winning
golden opinions from everybody, because
Of her modesty, self-reliance and sweet
disposition. Yet . courtly old gentleman,
who was critical Of the younger genera
ton, said pityiugly
What a misfortune 1t Is that such a
child should have the awkwardness OF a
rustic; She carries herself like servant
aud positively eats like pig
The table-school should teach selfre-
straint. Indeed. the whole essence Of
good manners Is comprehended In keep
ing self in the background, and thinking
primarily OF the convenience and enjoy
ment OF ones neignDors The iuter-
change OF small cuurteses In society oils
the wheels and causes affairs to move
without jsrring or friction. Although
some social observances seem to be arbi-
- ali al a a.
are not really so; but that common sense
and regard for convenience all round is
at the bottom Of them
The lifted hat. for instance, is sign
Of respect from one person to another, a
brief way of saying without words. 81
hold ~ in honor, and am glad to do So"
Only boor keeps his hat on iu the house
where, for one thing, he does not need Its
shelter from the wind and weather, and
where ladies have their abode. A gentle
mau always raises his hat when he meets
them, to the ladies whom he knows, and
some of the most finished gentlemen Of
the old school, not content with a mere
lifting, take their hats of, and stand bare
headed while speaking with women on
the street or at the door Of house. But.
how are boys to learn the easy, graceful
lifting OF the hat-the instructive homage
Of strength To weakness, OF the gentle
man to the lady?
Only from practicing It from babyhood
on.
Max lifted mis- cap to a girl2'' ex-
claimed Willie, who had come to New
York from a town where boys of fifteen
were not accustomed to pay much atten-
ton to their girl friends.
"Of course said Max, "evefv fellow
does. What do you take me for?'
And you bowed to yonr mother, rs II
you had not seen her half-dozen times
to day"
Certainly returned Max. "a fellow
who didn't know enough to bow TO his
mother when he met her, couldn't go
with our fellows, let me tell you. Why,
Will, we all do that
Aud Willie. who at heart WAS mother
loving lad needed only polish, resolved
to copy his cousins.
Do not underrate polish. A diamond
In the rough may possess value. but a
diamond after the cutters tool has
brought out its smoothness and beauty,
will command much greater price in
market. Harper's Young People.