The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1941-01-18

end" Then why should another book
of etiquette be added to the scores of
those already on the market? Out of
the hearts of a humble people has
come the desire for recognition of
those vital qualities of soul which they
feel and cultivate from time to time,
but are thwarted in their attempt to
express for lack of he knowledge of
the best means of expression. l write
in answer to the hundreds of questions
asked me by my own students, for
many of my associates who give evil
dence of much learning without ease
in their social approach to life.
The practice of fine manners is an
art, but it should always be so natural
that there be nothing of affectation
about it. The habit of being ones best
self daily in the little courtesies at
home, to those nearest to one, so estab-
fishes the individuals expression of
fine and gracious personality that
meeting stranger at any time has,
for him or her, neither fear nor dread.
This little book which l sent forth
out of years of experience and Obser-
walton is not intended to put one on his
guard in company but rather to help
one to know and practice the art of
kindness, the art of graciousness, the
art of expressing ones best self when
! alone, thus developing the habit of
doing the correct thing without effort
| or apparent notice.
Some people are born with charm
that essential, airy indescribably some
thing without which all else sinks into
| insigniticance in an attempt to estab-
lish in any measure our place in
human society. However the word
charm" in its essence, no man feels
moderated when he is said to possess
a personality of great charm.
This book offers no miracles for
sudden metamorphosis. 1t does, how
ever, set down certain definite princi-
pies upon which charm depends and
by the practice of which a more desir-
able and pleasing personality may be
achieved.
One studies to become efficient in
music, versed in literature, and &C
cepted in art. Versatility adds to ones
ability to entertain, makes one more
sought after and gives greater salts
faction to ones self in the larger acti-
vities that go to make up happy whole
some living. 1t adds greatly to ones
admirers. So it is with the natural
and unaffected practice of the social
graces, little courtesies which combine
thoughtfulness of others and forget
fulness of self into a unified and I'M
conscious effort we create an atmos-
phere of happiness and contentment
in pursuit of those things which keep
life always on a high level.
l, therefore, offer my gratitude to
the many friends of my childhood in
the New England area who, in schools
and homes teeming with cultural atmo-
sphere, gave me an opportunity to OBJ
serve the fine art of living.
To my mother first who taught me
as child in her own way, to be kind,
polite and generous under all condi-
/ lions and circumstances; to my teach
ers in the English High School at
Cambridge, Massachusetts, who met
the established attitude with greater
interest in developing it to a higher
level; to the inspiring and helpful
friendship of Mrs. Osborn w. Bright,
Mrs. Charles M. Connfelt, and Mrs.
Charles S. Guthrie, all of New York
City, who for more than twenty-five
years gave themselves so untiringly in
fellowship and understanding in the
shaping of the ideals and policies of
the cultural life of this institution; to
the warm sympathetic interest of that
first friend in this vicinity, who ex-
pressed belief in the possibility of
achieving nobler ends for a minority
group, Mrs. Charles D. McIver, of
Greensboro, North Carolina; to Mrs.
Galen L. Stone, of Brookline, Massa-
chusetts, for her personal friendship
through the years and her apprecia-
ton of my every endeavor to set up
| high standards without regard to race
or creed evidenced in the large finan-
cial support given me; to the members
of the faculty of the Palmer Memorial
Institute, present and past, who have
assisted in such research as was neces-
sary to answer the many questions so
persistently asked by our students.
Finally, but not less gratefully
acknowledge the painstaking effort at
research into the records of the teach
ings of the Palmer Memorial Institute,
its established code of ethics, the vari-
Gus assembly and chapel talks, the
quiet hours of discussion, the social
program and the subsequent compila-
ton and arrangement of this material
by my assisantant and collaboration,
Miss Cecie R. Jenkins, without whose
devoted service and continuing enthu-
siasm this effort might not have been
achieved.
Sincerely yours,
CHARLOTTE HAWKINS BROWN