The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-01-20
TRUE REFINEMENT.
The Original Meaning of the Word
Its Uses and Abuses.

1t seems a pity that the word IRE
inementr should have drifted so far
from its simple and original meaning,
which was qualification" We still
use it in that sense in regard to sub
stances, and speak of the refining pro-
cesses to which sugar, metal, liquors,
etc. are subjected. when all extran-
eous or detiling matter IS removed
But Refinement as applied to indi-
viduals. does not generally convey the
idea OF purity. Indeed, it is often
supposed to have less to do with what
Is within a man and proceeds from
him. than with what surrounds MIN
and acts upon him from without.
There are persons who would IN
dionantly resent the idea that they
were lacking in refinement, yet
who q only base their claim
to it on the atmosphere of luxury and
leisure on which they dwell. Thelr
demands upon the world are constant
and exacting, but that anything is ex-
pected of them seldom occurs TO them.
Their appetite is so delicate that every
land must be laid under contribution
to minister to i. Their beds must be
soft. their chairs easy. their dress lux
urious and rich. Their nerves are so
finely strung that all unpleasant
sights and sounds must be banisned.
Their sensibilities are so keen that
they cannot endure to see pain or
poverty. or to hear a tale of woe. so
they shut out all knowledge OF the
sorrows of others and hug themselves
contentedly in their own life OF ease.
Is this retinement2 Is it not instead a
gross and barbaric selfishnessl As has
been said by another, rs it not n
generous to make such a great hole in
the world to crush so many roses for
one fragrant dropf" Such persons are
sadly in need of some refining process
which shall purge out the dross which
is in them, and teach them TO abhor
so mean and eneroaching a life.
Some persons have a vague notion
that refinement is the privilege of
rank or position or culture. In arts
tocratic countries it is held to be the
exclusive possession of the nobility
and gentry, and it would almost ere
ate a smile of derision to speak OF a
refined peasantry. Even in our own
land. where we boast of our freedom
from class prejudice, we are apt to
associate the idea of refinement with
that of certain educational and social
advantages and to feel some degree OF
surprise when we see its marks among
those whose bread is earned by the
sweat of their brow. Perhaps, how
ever If we knew more about these
honorable laborers, and were more in
sympathy with them, we should see
o real refinement of heart and
character among them than often
exists among those who have had
greater opportunities. There are
cases of delicate generosity, OF willing
self-sacrifice, of manly tenderness and
womanly loyalty in many a cottage
that would grace the stately halls OF a
palace, where only a cold etiquette
reigns supreme. Thoreau says:-"1
called on the king. but he made me
wait in his hall, and conducted him
self like a man incapacitated for hos
pitality. There was a man in my
neighborhood who lived in a hollow
tree. His manners were truly regal.
| should have done better had | called
upon him." Even intellectual posses
sions, valuable as they are, cannot of
themselves refine their owner. Ii he
has in his heart the ALLOW of selfish
ness, or ingratitude, or self-conceit, or
contempt for those less learned than
himself, he lacks true refinement in
spite of all his knowledge. He, TOO,
needs to be purified