New-York tribune., 1904-09-12
HAVE ADVANCED IN COURTESY.

The manners of the modern Ar,.-;,.,-.,huS a.
compared with the mannerisnls Of children Of Other
civilized countries. might seem sorsurbs+ rslovv th
standard; for. while there has been no perceptibIs
decline IN true pohteness. there has been such
modification of the old rules OF poli.AnAss o5sr,s
from other nations. and now oute-o, 49,. -
stickiers for old-fashioned methods o@ d.oo-tr,s.
are Mortified into the belief that ,hs modern 49,
icsn child has manners
Bnt times have changed. and while there is a
lack of the oldtme forms Of poIiteuess children
have really advanced in true courtesy
There does not seem TO be any special reverence
In the old rule that lad should rise and stand az
attention whenever his elders entered the room an5
remain standing till they were seated Indeed IL
seems to in these times as though that might
have been cause for irreverence and We can realize
the inward scowls at the time lost from the inter
esting book game If the elders were in 10 hurry
TO settle themselves
In modern times. If the child was using the most
comfortable chair in the room. it might be offered
10 any one older who came in: otherwise the child
would continue reading the book or plavinv tba
game without a thought of irreverence
mere Is an old aphorism which saws etiquette
varies IN drerent countries but politeness is
the same the world over''-meaning manifesty
that true politeness Is from the heart and IA a
Kindly desire to be of service to those with whom
we come in contact. The modern American child
judged by that standard the essential qualities
OF true poteness
The child who gives the family friend smile
In passing is kindly respectful as though the
cap had been doned or the courtesy made as In
oden times.
Children trained TO too many forms and manner
isms have tendency become little hypocrites
The most polite child I ever knew had perfect
manners at the of five. But great light was
thrown on his politeness when the mother OF a
playmate made comparison between the two. and
her son said. II don't call him polite He takes
off his hat 10 the women and when they get past
me to do tha a otSf eess thoSgb g0g sSs
and wisely concluded to let the matter OF the cap
come OF naturally. voluntarily and respectfully
The polite playmate had been so trained to
the outward observance as to lose an consideration
for the respect due and found vent for his feel
Even ia the family Of rude children Of whom
os Rcf q hs as fault eOs S
parentsl. taken singly they might have been found
been suffering from headache and had made that
b 5i oxsr to
The shooing process. possibly. might have been
the Outcome Of ps kindly spirit The parents while
easygon< and evidently shirking the bother OF
yet doubtless understood the good qualities under
cdn 5nS e tSs ess s sRS
| This family. however. is rather an exception than
sns 5s and s Ss BE as c
One go out without seetrg kindly polite t.
seat in the car to an elderly woman, though ne
look as Il he knew very little Of potSsnsss nx ana M
| struction In that direction. Yet he has the In
stinctive feeling OF courtesy which Will not allow
| Kim TO keep his seat while the aged stand
| The only manners which should De caugnr AZ
| school are those which can be learned rom tne
example OF the teacher in her courtesy 10 ana con-
| siderateness for the scholar
| Respectful manners certainly are compaup!e VIII
,a osnIrf Of true Jerocracy but must be the out
| come OF an honest and manly Cor womanlyl CON
liberation FOR others and not the service netter-
ing politeness given TO gain the favor or make an
| impression. The American child. as class; ~
tba nTInrinlas OF true politeness more az nearI
than the polite children OF other nauons-tnousaa
at times he does seem 10 be lacking IN tne
Observance