Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-03-29
STANDARD OF MANNERS.
Bishop Potter Draws Some Com
parsons Adverse to This
Country

In an address to the Young Mems and
Young Women's Culture society Of the
Temple Rodolph Shoiom last night Bish-
op Potter drew some comparisons ad-
verse to this country between the stand
ard OF manners prevailing here and in
Europe. He minated that the people
of A1herica and Europe might initiate
some of the ideas, in the matter of dress,
of the people of the East
In Europe he said when | have
been travelling on the railroads or visit
ing public places, | have never heard
loud or harsh voice raised above the
tone of others around me without turn
ing with shudder of apprehension to
find if the voice was that of a fellow
countryman. Much of the exaspera-
ton, of the perplexity of life is brought
about by the coarseness and indistinct-
ness Of speech. For twenty years l
have been travelling on railroads con-
stantly in carrying out my professional
duties, but after all that time | have
not acquired the mysterious and non
understandable language of the gentle
men who open and shut the car doors
and who are supposed TO call ont the
names of the stations. One of the first
principles OF culture is distinct and lucid
enunciation and TO learn TO use the voice
unsteady.
'One of the greatest mistakes of youth
IS not to be natural. There is no need
Of strident voices or nasal twang. Par
ents should teach their children to speak
plainly, unsteady, and agreeably.
youth is the flexible period. Chill
lren should be trained to have regard
for old age and show chivalry for aged
persons and for womanhood.
Good mGuners contribute to the COM
fort and JOY of society. Visitors to Eu-
hoy
monious and cOnsiderate treatment of
the aged and the dignified salutatiOns
which are exchanged between men are
struck with the meagernesS of these at
tributes in American life. 1t 5 IT lie, no
doubt, that life here is TOO practicai and
rapid to return to the irksome ceremony
of the old generation, but there Is
happy medium we ought to adopt.
''In a parlOr car. while coming from
Washington Il few weeks ago, there was
a young man sitting with his Wife-I pre-
sumo she was his wife because | cannot
conceive of him treating any other wom-
an with such discourtesy as he treated
her. Unable to smoke in the car he re-
venged himself for his involuntary denial
by munching an unlighted cigar. l con-
graduate myself that | had the self
restraint to prevent my getting up, tax
ing the cigar out of that young mans
mouth and soundly boxing his ears. 1t
vas an lulOieIdDic anu lHSuuCTUDlc eA-
hibition of vulgarity.
Il wonder if we ever realize how inn
perfect is the average conception Of dress
and color. Harmony of color in dress
is something that does not come to wom-
en- by intuition, nor to men. 1t is an
art that must be cultivated. Someone
has said of a discord of colors that it
seemed to him that the coIors were
swearing at each other | have often
thought myself when observing the
dresses of people on the street. that [
could translate color into sound. Such
q feeling | have had, for instance, when
/ have seen a man with a red beard
wearing green cFavat. In the matter
of dress we are far behind the Eastern
people and nations we profess to despise
In Europe and in this country we are
far from having an artistic conception
of dress, and it would be ADVANTAGEOUS
to us if we cultivated Il knowledge of
the costumes of other races and lands
than our own.
BE wise in your choice of friend
ships he concluded. at is one of the
greatest opportunities of youth Select
as your companions brave. righteous
honest and pure men and women. You
will then attain the fellowship of their
sympathies, the courage of their right
eousness and the steadfastness of their
honesty anu purity. New York Even
ing Sun