The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-04-17
SECRET OF GOOD BREEDING.
1t IL an Unborn Possession Which In
Treasure of Untold
Value.

From time out of mind we have
heard the question discussed as to the
cause and results uof good breeding.
Many hold that gentlemen and ladies,
in the true sense, are born, not made,
that environments have no part at all
to play in ones character; others think
directly the opposite--that training is
everything, and that without it there
is absolutely no chance for refinement
and courtliness, says the Memphis Com
mercial Appeal.
Good birth is undoubtedly an i'm
portant factor of good breeding. Ones
ideas, ambitions and aspirations judg-
ing from ones surroundings, should be
of the same order. But there are
many exceptions to this, rule. Many a
gentleman has been born in filth and
squalor of degenerate parents and yet
has managed to rise above his sur
roundings and prove himself gentle
man. Again, many son born of pa
rents of wealth and refinement and
noted for their good breeding has gone
down to the path of sin to the bitter
end, has sunk to the depths of degra-
dation and iniquity. These persons
could probably boast of culture and
centuries of noble ancestry, had re-
ceived the best of training and yet had
fallen after all. Such cases as these
are not rare; they may be met with
any day.
But before going further into the
discussion it would be best to discover
what constitutes good breeding, of
what it consists.
Wealth is not an important element;
in fact, it may be placed entirely out
of the list of factors as a hindrance in
many cases instead of help. There is
generally current a mistaken belief
that wealth is all that is necessary to
ones refinement, and on this ground
many little acts and deeds are excused
or overlooked every day that were they
unaccompanied by the offenders
wealth would bring him condemnation
and censure. Wealth covers many sins,
and yet, in it's place, can be used in
countless good and useful ways. Ply
steal beauty also cannot be termed a
mark of good breeding, but the best
bred people are always the most beau
tiful to the person who can appreciate
them. Another quality which can
easily be dispensed with is haughti-
ness, an acquisition which has carried
many person past Scylla and Cha
,rybdis while plunging about in the So
cial stream.
The most potent factor of good
breeding, the prime element, the first
principle, is nothing more nor less than
condensation of the Golden Rule
unselfishness, kindness of heart. Moth
ing else can ever gain superiority over
this great and noble trait of character,
and without this no person can possess
real refinement, perfect dignity and
really good breeding. Nothing can
supply its loss and nothing can buy its
possession. Unselfshness is inherent,
innate and Unborn; it is a mysterious
something that cannot well be defined
and yet may be found in the poorest
and humblest as well as in the loftiest
and noblest of all Gods creatures.
Good breeding is plainly matter of
instinct, an Unborn possession that is
one of the greatest of treasures. Many
possess it, but great many more fail
to attain it, through lack of the neces-
sary qualities essential to its acquisi-
ton.
We can more readily pardon the per-
son who is perhaps not conversant of
the usage of the various and sundry
apparel necessary at social functions
than the one who is dressed strictly
in accordance with court etiquette and
yet cannot so conduct hims elf in man.
ner BETTING his station and the place
at which helends his presence. Clothes
unfortunately for some, are not all
that they require to deserve the title
of lady or gentleman, but there are a
great many who fail to see the matter
in this light.