The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-02-04
A Girls Manner and Manners.
lBv Priscilla Wakefield

by Priscilla Wakefield.)
We are in. danger in these days OF
losing many OF the graces that help, TO
make life harmonious. The rush, the
hurry. the feverish excitement i'm which
many persons live cannot be conducive
10 the cultivation Of charm of manner
or elevation of mind. You may be sur
prised when | mention elevation of
mind in connection with a talk about
manners, but the cultivation of good
manners has more to do with high
mindedness and d high standard of
morals than many of us think. Good
manners uplift and refine by their cen
stant use: bad m nners injure and low
er the character and destroy the per-
lection Of life. Good manners help, or
should help, by their sincerity. to make
us thoughtful, kind, unselfish: bad
manners will result i'm making us hard,
cold and heart nos
The value Of ma Irs would seem to
be essential ia ev.rt well-regulated
life. even if mercy ne selfish motive
being popular O. Tung success, yet il
is universally .ePi2red that manners
are deteriorating and that there is a
growing laXity Of talk. conduct and
life. a cool Indifference to the feelings
OF others. a neglect Of the eourtesies of
behavior. niceties of speech.
] am sorry to have girls charged
with being less sweet and modest,
more -assartiYe. Independent. i'm
patient Of control i'm these days. 1t
hurts me to be obliged to confess that.
i'm some instances. the charge is true.
An Independent. self-assertive manner
does not show anything but crudeness.
To try to be a law unto oneself in man
ners is as false as in mere weighty
matters, We are not civilized when we
disregard law. "Order is heavens first
law" We must be orderly in conduct
and i'm all the small details of life Good
manners are a set Of rules adopted by
persons Of culture enabling them to
adapt themselves quickly to the need
of the moment and to do their part in
life easily. gracefully. graciously
An assumption of independence, an
aggressive. uncivil manner. viii never
convince the world that you are su-
Qerior person.
This is d false idea and comes from
egotism. self-love. II will cause yGu to
be severely judged and criticised
Another fatal mistake is in thinking
that boisterous. noisy manner. loud
laugh gushing. exuberant spirits are
indicative Of fun or amusement Re
pose of manner is an accomplishment
worth striving fer. 1t has a wonderful |
charm. 1t does not imply that one Is
duh or lacking in vivacity. 1t is entire
ly compatible with wholesome nlirth, |
keen enjoyment and a relish for hu-
NOR
a girl is not filing her place properly
Nh- fails in any of the graces OF girl
hood You are in the world to add TO |
lis beauty and il you would be charm |
ING YOU will be sweet-mannered, gentle,
genuinely sympathetic Innumerable !
1lle acts Of kindness are part of social |
l'". Cod manners necessltate klndly I
feeling toward those you meet, WISH |
'u please not from the selfish reason /
nf winning personal admiration. but
toE a sincere wish to give pleasure -
make the world better and brighter by |
your presence.
The whole duty of woman in regard
io manners is described in four words
by Emerson: "A lady is serene.
woman Of refinement is serene-n1e dest,
reserved, composed, self-controlied'
When she peaks it is in low tones,
when she moves il is with grace Her
gestures her posture is marked by
+tHflencss and dignity.
Your manner of your way CT dolnS
a0ything win indicate what sort OF
girl you are. Your manner of speak
e, your voice your choice Of w-rGs'
the way i'm which you write a note L
walk iu the street. enter or leave a room
these are among the little things
worth considering
The Voice of the American girl is Sc
Aorely and justly criticised. The hlgh-
pitched. nasal tones. the harsh fWanS.
are not pleasant and show decided
ia * Of culture. Arc you careful as 10
me quality Of your voice. careful in cui-
tNating well-modulated tones? You
can overcome defects in speaking from
Inc throat. not through the nose, ana
can learn to enunciate distinctly. a
singer studies for years in order TO eHl-
hNate her voice. an actress practices
continually to render her voice agree
aole Even a hard, shrill vcice may
oe transformed to a flexible, pleasant
one
Keep in mind Shakespeare's words:
l1er voice was ever soft, gentle ana
low an excellent thing in woman.
another point is about your choice
=. words. You are making bad i'm
preston when you use slang. You
LAY think it expressive and easy, Dut
ne habit will spoil your taste for well |
g1,lqseii words and make You appear
Hi-Dred. Slang has no claim TO VII ]