The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-07-22
CHIVALRIC COURTESY.

emerged from a condition OF exercising
the simple animal functions which sustain
life. the rise has been marked by the ap-
nearance of inclnations toward "sweeter
manners, purer laws" The intercourse OF
friends has assumed gentleness. The con-
flict of enemies has been adorned with
amenities. In the races endowed by nature
with the highest gifts the manifestations OF
courtesy have early made their appearance.
1t may be said that social life must cease
to advance without the discipline, peace
and smoothness of gentle manners. Just
what were the intimate manners of Hellenic
cities we do not know. 1t is clear that the
relations of men were extended with the
dignity and thoughtfulness of true courte-
sy; but no civilization can have the full
spirit of progress without higher consid-
Grafton for womanhood than the Greeks
ever taught themselves. Men cannot reach
the perfection of manners among them
selves where they have not cultivated
reverence and delicacy of demeanor to-
ward their mothers and sisters. 1t is likely
that before the ascendancy of Rome many
of the Asiatc peoples were more accom-
plished in courtesy than were any in
Europe Nor did Rome set the standard
very high, though she gave to woman an
appreciation nobler than the Greek segre-
CATION. The later empire of the East mol
lifted manners and learned finer rules of
courtesy, probably through constant asso-
citation with Asia.
Not until the rise of chivalry did Europe
learn to think of woman with Difference
and approach her with elevation of senti-
ment In the circles of knightly life there
gradually grew up poetic regard for the
''lady of dreams and the saint of puissant
deeds.'' It is said that the poesy of the
time of tournaments and errantry was more
rarefied than the practice of men who ate
their meat without knife or fork and
thought more of changing blows than of
the happiness of their wives. However
students may judge of the difference be-
tween chivalric ideals and soldierly prac-
tee, that period did set up charming
standard which afterward became an obli-
CATION upon the self-respecting of both
sexes. The woman learned to believe that
she must be modest, helpful in all depart
ments of life, careful of the weak and
sick, devoted to religion, graceful and &C.
complished in the arts of social ceremony,
sklful in attire and educated in the learn
ing suitable to entertainment. To both
gentleman and lady was taught the precept
that courtesy is the talisman of refined
society; the uplifted signal that denotes
the presence Of the worthy associate of
kings and courtiers; 1.-THE crest and crown
ing of all good"
Ii we speak of manners alone, without
regard to the substance of righteous living
beneath, the France of the eighteenth
century was the climax. In exquisite
finish of manner, in the polished refinement
Of outward attention to ladies, the long
reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XIV have
never been equaled, and it was that France
which gave the fashion to the higher So
ciety of our Colonial life.
Have manners declined? Many think
so. There are men and women of the old
school who grieve for the days of more
literature in conversation, more polish in
wit. They like to think that there was a
time when gentleman thought of ladies
as Shakespeare thought when he wrote
GA hand that kings
Have Tipped, and trembled. kssnp''
In justice to the manners of our day. we
must remember that there are centrifugal
and centripetal forces at work in manners
as in economics. There are times of con-
struction, times of change, times of recon-
struction. 1t must be acknowledged that
in the old finish of manner there was much
of artificiality, of insincerity. Moreover,
when society manners are made an end of
efforts, there grows an appetite
For rattles and conceits of every cast.
For change OF follies and relays Of joys.''
Society tends to become 'sshifter of
mock pageants;'' the outward way is over
valued and the inward spiritual grace is
neglected. People take the view of the
cynic who said that for him manners were
more important than morals, since morals
were concealed and he knew nothing about
them, while manners were all he knew
about the people he was compelled to meet.
Ii man was agreeable he was likable /:
if disagreeable, he was to be avoided.
When society reaches point where the