Year: 1878

OOO0 MANNERS.


More than one wise man has observed
that "Manners make the state" With
out some thought upon the subject one
would hardly realize what is involved
in the common courtesies of life. The
word courtesy means, elegance and po-
liteness of manners; civility; cOmplai-
sance. Carried into daily life it ac-
knowledges the individuality of every
member OF. society, and accords TO all,
from the prince to the beggar, that re-
speet to which he is entitled.


By good manners is not meant sim
ply matters of etiquette as practiced in
| society, for outside of etiquette ones
manners can be agreeable and even no
BILE. Although thorough knowledge
of social usages is desirable, it is not
absolutely essential. A scavenger on
the streets has rendered assistance to a
lady with as much grace and manliness
as one accustomed to polite society
from his youth up, and yet, in all pro-
bability, that laborer had never known
the ordinary comforts of a home. Some
years ago, on one of our principal thor
oughfares, sudden gust blew from the
hand of lady her umbrella. A carter
passing by secured it, and handing it
back to the lady said, Miss, if you were
as strongas youare purity, the umbrella
could not get away from YOU" The
lady, smiling, said: (which shall l
thank you for, the compliment or the
umbrella:" ''Miss," said he, "that
smile pays me well for both" ''The
first gentleman in England could not
have acted with more gallantry.


The statutes of country are eviden-
ces of the manners and customs of the
people. If their habits are severe and
manners rude, the laws partake of that
nature. If the manners are simple and
gentle, so will be the laws. Long be-
fore the laws become mild the manners
become so. An examination of the
laws will show the estimation placed
upon human life, and, in fact, brings
us almost face to face with the people.


If woman is not accorded political
rights, nor deemed as important as she
would wish TO be in affairs of state, she
is very important and controlling ele-
memt. In her hand, broad as the asser-
ton may appear, is the keeping of the
manners of the world, and what higher
task can she undertake.? BY her infiu-
ence home is made paradise to which
husband and children cling with un-
faltering devotion. Here her pure I'M
selfishness shines out brightly when
contrasted with the selfishness bf the
outside world, and teaches lesson in
self denial worthy of imitation. The
soft answer which turneth away
WRATH" the sympathetic look and man
ner are precious to man, and although
they may pass unnOticed at the time,
the good effect is felt, and shows itself
in our being kinder of the feel
ings of others. The effect produced by
good women upon the rising geuera-
ton in home life is incalculable. Well
" ould il be if woman occupied the same
sound position all over the world as in
America. In countries where she is
not looked upon as the equal of man,
the manners of the male sex are far
below those where her refining infiu-
ence has had full sway. To-day in the
East, where woman is in state of vas
salage, she sees springing up around
her host of sons. weak in mind and
body, awaiting the advent of more
civilized race TO fail an easy victim.
Indeed it may be safely said that the
promotion and perpetuation of civiliza-
ton depends, i'll a great measure, on
good manners as taught by good wo-
men.


Turn for a moment from the more
serious contemplation of the subject
and observe what inexpressible grace
and beauty good manners add to the
varied scenes of our daily life; how
they brighten the dark spots and
smooth the rugged places in our path.
How naturally we turn for sympathy
to the possessor of this charm, and how
quickly we turn away from the harsh
and rude i'm times when kind words are
needed. Cultivate good manners in
the home circle, and it will have good
effect outside. Remember always that
good manners, although an article hav-
ing no fixed commercial value, yet adds
very materially in the extinguishment
of debt. Good manners we always ad-
mire and they are believed to be conta-
gious. 1t would bea good thingif they
were epidemic, and let us hope that
they may become so.