The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16
A COURSE IN MANNERS.
New Branch of Instruction RECON-
mended for the Public Schools.

Table Talk.
Miss Leila Partridge, Of Philadelphia, a
woman with wide experience in the schools
and children of this country, advocates a
new departure, which, If successfully de-
veloped, would prove inestimable relief to
the family circle, teachers, in fact, TO the
general public Her argument is that the
rude, noisy child is a great strain upon
nerves, patience and peace. That, If old
enough to learn to read and write il is
not too young TO understand and conform
TO the simple requirements Of good breed
ing. To this end she urges i'm the public
schools a course in manners" regular
training classes in behavior just as there
are for physical culture. The idea is rea-
sonable. forceful one that thus training
a child in school will make politeness au-
tomato primarily, and afterward second
nature, thus saving the waste Of brain
and nerve tissue in constant reminders on
the part Of mother or care-taker
Consuming that the admission is not fat
tering to parents. good manners cannot be
counted as a marked characteristic OF
American children. Foreign training seems
with better results; the English or Frenci,
child is an example in juvenile courtesy
by comparison. The query arises '.vhat q
included in the course proDosed nv tbss
new apostle OF good breedine9'S rrt,os "a a.
themselves but all important To the cbil5.s
success IN lie, and 10 the rest and qt,ncs-
phere or courtesy which should ner,-asl.
every well-ordered home or school To -
ter the mouse quietly, close the door softI,r
raise nat gracefully when comnellef -
pass IN 'front.' OF another. how To offer -
per excuse now TO rise and offer the go
10 lady In the crowded rar-tbese -
more are the lessons TO be inc,,Ics,.5 a.
ms new branch Of instruction IN thts
, al III al other teachings, parents must sun
ing. OeSsAui and last
1t is noticeable that children IN r,,-
older raoIi. 10 Dc silent in the presence 81
S uel people until such time as onnort,,v,,..
- onerso them 10 join in the conYers 10y
s, -.St 10y 90 so intelligently and usfbo,-..
,lOa a assment American narent. h
to give , ~Sn Ior In effacing themselves
cbuaSdr UNDUE prominence 10 49,
~ 81 81 Win very unfortunate res,,l, -.
tance - Mothers awake TO the 5ro5 70
attemntas 5000 manners in little folks 49,,
o,so,.afsseu Dy way Of private clos.
Suquette, In which children 90 - Ssasses IN
49, SeSh invited 10 join TO inona-. .eii us
rSee lessons unaided and v-5.h me
meet 3rousa Miss Partridge's snsgH ls1cn
Se permanent thing asch Htaa,hing viii
5,S,--Ssiiu oenenting by IN In 80, Oi tne
siSe ~ manners Will be univs-, until
ont H. ne water. In her lectures ,h lis
sfit,,,e~ a. sSuHtry before the tear cush a
ss X Is her purpose 70 "a, sacners' in
H. I'LL. LII her object is accornSi,tShe mat
as Ill uIahhers course inclnded teo ana
saving ,bs, pSonS schools. IL goes x rtts ass
usItahlng 10 improve and sie.ssino IA this un-
80 u good breeding even - 80 ne stand
TO corrsc. are formed ALMOST 1900 De-
s1ri or boy will exhibif Snlteous, ill-bred
as1ter NE unless earlv Sine traits in
" way OF reformation. nhon Is given