Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-14
Bad ren,pers.


II 10 not nm uncommon thing in this, says o
writer in Chambers Journal, as In more
serious matters, for the world to make mis-
takes, and ascribo to some men better tempers,
to others worse ones than they actually possess
A man may not only be thoroughly selfish and
exacting, but ready to fly into a passion at
small provocation, and yet pass for being good
tempered. simply because those around him are
afraid to cross him, and give him no opportun-
ity for breaking out. His likes and dislikes are
always taken into account and considered be-
forehand; this is known to him, and the sac
rifice is pleasing. The members OF his family
for temper is chiefly a feature of family life
think that peace is cheaply bought at the
price of their own inclinatiOns; and congratu-
late themselves on the fact that papa or Uncle
Richard is in such good temper. The fact is
that he In in an abOminably bad one; he is
probably quite unconscious OF the fact, and UNI
conscious, too, that in their hearts the other
members of the family think him nuisance,
and breathe more freely when he is out of the
house, more freely still when he is 4 hundred
miles away.
On the other hand man may be SO con-
firmed grumbler that he may be universally
voted bore and person of execrably bad
that respect than many Of his neighbours. He
grnmbles more as q matter of habit than any
thing clse; and plays, Us it were, with his tenn
per. As rule, he does not lose his self-con-
troll; he has nothing of that cruel love of
wounding other peoples feelings which is the
essence OF a ally bad temper; he simply fumes
and fuses about because he likes it. Occasion
ally, under load Of unusual aggravations, self
control gives way and the grunible changes to
q veritable storm: but, a rule, the croaker
remains rem satisfied with making him
Agreeable he is he probably has little
idea. 1t il his nature to find fault and look at
the seamy side Of things; and he has never set
himself TO counterfeit the natural bent Of his
mind. Ye: he may be very loveablc kind Of
man; his peevishness may be tiresome; but
those who live with him know that il is mere
habit, o habit which, from long indulgence, has
come TO be second nature; end they bear with
him patiently, more patiently. perhaps, than
he deserves. Nothing. indeed, Is more sur
prising than the fact that not only habitually
discontented people, but irritable, angry, bully
ing fellows, may, and often do, retain the love
Of their fellow creatures.
Some nl-tempered men are loved, not only
beyond their deserts. but beyond what one
might think possible. Perhaps this ia because
they make up for their defects by an unusual
warmth Of affection; but there is one descrip-
ton OF ill-tempered man who is never liked,
whether he receives dutiful affection or not,
and that IL the man who always insists on hav-
ing his own way. A passionate man is not al
ways, perhaps not often, in rage; a sulky fell
low IL not perpetually sulking; but an exncting
man II continually irritating. There are
people who quietly, and, perhaps, good.
humoredly, but with fxed determination, insist
to theirs; and Who, 4 they are thxartsd, make
themselves infinitely disagreeable. man Of
ttds stamp may have many good qualities; he
may be respected, but he cannot be loved. Not
even his nearest relations can avoid feeling
of relief when he IL absent. The flower Of love
may live through many injuries, but 1t cannot
survive in an atmosphere Of perpetual frost