The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-21

If you have reason TO be so show Ii not;
put on cheerful countenance, especially
If there be strangers. For good humor
makes one dish OF meat a feast
Although there is rule like this in the
ancient book mentioned above. the words
good humor" have been inserted by WASH
ington. The idea is ancient as Solomon:
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
than a stalled OK and hatred herewith
preston, good humor," shows that George
bad digested the rule 1 shall have more
TO say of him after l have presented the
rules he has adopted, but i may say here
that in the school which Washington at
tended, there remained for 100 years tra-
dition that he was noted for good humor.
although rather grave for his years. He
was never known to quarrel.
In our own days when young people
often form societies or clubs for debate.
In which they are training themselves for
the assemblies in which the affairs of the
world are discussed. there may be found
particular interest in the rules of Wash
ington which relate to behavior in meet
ings. One Of these advises that if you enter
a meeting In the midst of a speech you
should not ask what il is about, and IL the
speaker stops because you have entered,
you should ask him to proceed; but il a
person enters while you are conversing IL
is handsome 10 repeat what has been said.
4 hlnk before you speak, pronounce not i'm
perfectly, nor bring out your words too
heartily, but orderly and distinctly. When
another speaks be attentive yourself, and
disturb not the audience. II any hesitate
in his words help him not. nor prompt him
without Cbeing) desired. Interrupt him not
nor answer him till his speech be ended.
In disputes be not so desrous to overcome
as to give liberty TO each one TO deliver
his opinion. Contradict not at every turn
what others say. BE not tedious in dis
course, make not many digressiOns. nor re-
peat often the same manner of discourse.
While you are talking. point not with your
finger at him of whom you discourse, nor
approach too near him to whom you talk.
especially TO his face. The gestures of the
body must be suited to the discourse you
are upon"
And here 1 must risk breaking the rule
against digreSsions and make one. Circum-
stances did not allow George Washington
to cultivate the art of public speaking; he
was pressed into his work of surveying
lands before his boyhood was past, and was
in the camp contending against his coun-
try's enemies at an age when most youths
are yet at college He was always ad-
mirabe writer, and used his pen others
their tongues, but was troubled II called
on to make a speech. At the age of nine
teen Washington, on the very day that he
received his commission from the Gov
ernor of Virginia. started on his perilous
expedition, through q wilderness peopled
with savages, 10 the Ohio. When he re-
turned an address was offered him in the
Legislature. but his words in response could
hardly be heard Whereupon the speaker
of the House exclaimed. ''Sit down. Mr.
Washington. your modesty is equal TO your
merit, in the description of which words
must fall short" But in that same Virginia
Legislature, on the eve of the revolution.
washington made what has been described
as the most eloquent speech ever made
in one sentence. Il will raise 1000 men,
subsist them at my own expense, and
march them to the relief OF Boston" He
was here practicing one of his own rules,
which says: Let your discourse with men
of business be short and comprehensive.
One of the most difficult things for young
people. who wish to be polite, is TO steer
clear of affectation. To avoid rudeness
and bluntness on the one side, pretense and
foppery on the other, is a sort of art. On
this point Washingtons rules contain use
full hints. His very first rule is: Every
action done in company ought TO be with
present "Be no fiatterer." says another
rule. And again, "Superfuous compliments,
and all affectation of ceremony are TO be
avoided. yet where due they are not to
be neglected" IF any one comes TO speak
to you while you are sitting. stand up
though he be your inferior" "In writing or
speaking, give to every person his due
title" BE not forward. but friendly and
courteous; the first to salute. hear and an
swer And be not not pensiye Of when a. ITS ,ss tune
per end of the table, but if IL be your due.
that the master of the house will have
1t so, contend not, lest you should trouble
the company"
The more serious maxims Of Washing
tons copybook should be well considered.
But let il not be supposed that these al
ready given, quaint as they are. have not
a serious Importance. There Is a sense
in which manners make the man. Mere
smoothness of speech, ceremOniousness.
stereotvned smiles. these are but pinch
beck politeness. But the real pcliteness,
genuine good manners. are not all outside,
because they decorative. The plumage
of bird is the expression OF its whole
structure; the manners of n man grow out
of his heart, his breeding, and education.
Education in manners is like polishing a
diamond. In the rough a diamond does
not differ radically from any pebble; were
il never polished IL would be of no more
worth than the pebble. Even a pretty DIT
of glass were superior in value to a dia-
mond doomed TO roughness. That is, II Is
not only important that the people should
have good qualities in them. but that these
qualities should be brought out, polished
till they shine. WILL DlEIZ-
Charlestown, Ind.