The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-04-21


ert Elsmcrc." by their somewhat
strained views Of existence. brought
about kind of revolt in those nearest
to them, in the persons Of their sisters,
Celia and Rose: while. unknown to
themselves, their very virtues, serene
and unbending, developed into form
of sellishness.
AS q sense of humor gives us a true
sense of proportion, so does feeling
for the amenities of life give us an in
stinct of real sympathy with Others
the sympathy that makes it blessed to
receive rs well as to give
Some people, in their arllor for work
on the serious side of life, neglect that
which makes it beautiful and attractive;
they forget that Dame Nature is not
sparing with her amenities; that she
embroiders the meadows with gold, that
she trails the water lily in her streams,
that she paints the sky with colors
which drive the artist to despair
Time is not wasted in adding to the
amenities of life. The comforts and
elegance ofour living rooms, the care
ful arrangement of flowers, the harmony
of color. and the sweet strains Of music.
all add to the pleasure of existence.
And these pleasures bring legitimate
happiness,-such happiness as is not
locked up in one persons breast, but,
overflowing, makes the lives Of many
brighter.
If a master or mistress of a large es
tablishment has courteous manners and
genuine regard for the feeling of
others, it is probable that the servants
will catch the prevailing tone, and a
spirit of refinement and good-breeding
will insensibly gain footing in such a
home Children should be taught from
their earliest years to treat servants
with politeness, and not to think that
a gift in money or kind can make up
for rude words, or can secure esteem
or affection.
Although no active form Of charity
may be practised in such a household
(there may be no philanthropist among
the sons or daughters); although the
verb "to be- may be more regarded
than the verb ''to do,'-still such
graces as sweetness and amiability,
such virtues as unselfshness, rare
charity, and unhagging devotion, may
be looked for in soil that has been
carefully nutured by the amenities of
life.
No home life can be perfect without
sympathy; no public life can be at its
best without-a ta ctful, spontaneously
generous feeling for others; in a word,
the fine manners that come from a good
heart are essential to both Fine man.
ners are not veneer, they are 4 per-
vading reality; they add a delicate
charm to the most beautiful form and
face, as we'll as to the homeliest; we
may liken them to a radiant sunset
which in itself may not be of any prac-
tical use in the universe, but which can
and does giorify equally one of ma
lures sublimest scenes and the quiet
meadow of an English homestead.
As there are color-blind people in the
world, 50 there may be some to whom
beauty in its many and different shapes
does not appeal; but these are eXcep-
tions to the rule. We can all cultivate
one form of ofbeanty-beautiful manners;
and, in so doing, we are really adding
to the graces of the soul and the heart
on which depend the amenities of life;
For manners not idle, but the fruit
OF loyal nature and of noble mini
~ y Home Juurnni.