The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-31
rHE swan coUErhSIhS or 1IFE.
Forgotten in the Rush Of Daily Cares-Be
Courteous.


Courteous.
in Matthew Arnold's recently published
letters the reader is pleasantly impressed
ly the frank and full expressions OF
love toward different members Of tho
family. My Dearest Mother. My Oar
Inns Nelly" Ny Dear old DicA,' are
frequent forms of beginning letters which
abound in tender demonstration. and are
filed with the many small details which
go far tO make letters entertaining and
interesting. one secs how lOya1ie tie
mau must have been, how charming "a
comrade. how delicate and thoughtful
"a husband. how sympathetic in other re-
laUons. 8s SON. father. and brother.
When Air. Arnold visits America he IS
a enjoyed with wonder at much that Zoe
finds here much plcases him. some things
le criticisos and IL D. tnorOu-hly delight
ful 10 discover him writing To- thc daush-
ter at home that AZ one house they had
exquisite rolls. broiled oysters coffee and
preserved peaches for supper and that
at Andoycr in a professor house the
three daughters. not Winding early rising
an were up 20 eat farewell seven o'clock
breakfast with She guest while on anotn-
or occasion. ALSO 40 professors. they
had coffee fruit Goldfish balls. hashed
veal. mince pies. and hot rolls for break
fast. Our excessive use OF iced water.
and our thoroughly warmed houses alike
struck him as quite different from what
he was accustomed 10 in England. We
think Of am American stove for the cot
tage." he writes. and he Is charmed with
Richmond. whore the domestic atmos-
phore. Virginia having been settled by
English gentry" seems 10 him not un-
like that Of his native land
But il was not Of all this that 7 was
thinking when [ began 10 write, but OF
Mr.. Arnold's feeling that we Americans
were always an wh.rl and rush, al
ways wanting "to go somewhere. /
fear that this IS true. Leisure seems
10 have fed from our borders. We live
and move and have our being in porpet-
ual business and almost perpetual haste.
Where is the houscmothor who can sit
down and fold her hands? Where IS the
merchant who can cease from the exact
ing round Of duties? Where IS the pas
tor who is not carrying more loads than
one man should. visiting, studying
preaching. writing working on boards
and committees. and entertaining friends.
guests and begears beyond his strength
Where is the school girl that has not too
much TO do? Tho mother Of one young
girl wrote 10 me during the holidays:
"M- has a weeks recess. and is sup
posed 10 be- az leisure. but I saw her just
now. on my way past her room, with
big lexicon ana a Latin reader I'm her
lap. and she has an essay on the litera-
ture Of the eighteenth century 10 write
before reopeHing OF her college"
In absolute waste ~ nervous energy
over trifes we wear ourselves out.
And the small. sweet courtesies Of life.
the visits back and forth. the letters
10 dear old friends. the sending OF gifts
from hand 10 hand. the thoughtful, gem
tie. loving words. which would make
some hungry hearts so fun Of cheer
what room is there for these? People
who are always I'm a struggle 10 60 some
where. or TO do something, have little
margin left for simple amenities; thcy
must either brush them aside or else
trample them down.
10 may be well that one should repeat
the beautiful Scripture injunction. "Be
courteous. Aunt Marjorie. in Christian
IntolligenCer.