ページの画像
PDF
ePub

enter. Vice and ignorance are the only things of which we ought to be ashamed: while we keep clear of them, we may venture any where without fear or concern.

22. Personal introductions, to be made with an easy address, and according to established etiquette, require much attention. The custom is to introduce the inferior to the superior: the gentleman to the lady: and, unless it may be presumed that one of the parties is already known to the other, the name of each should be distinctly pronounced. There is apt to be much carelessness in this, and also in remembering the name. Some speak it so low, so hurriedly, or inarticulately, that it is impossible for the ear to catch it. Some accompany the name with, "Allow me to introduce -or, "Let me make you acquainted with Mr. Brown" but this, except where great ceremony is required, is considered rather formal. The simple name is all that is needed. Still, if the person be a foreigner, or just from his travels, or bear any other distinction desirable to be known, it should be added: as, "Mr. Field, of London "“ Mr. Bryant, late from Palestine"-"Rev. Dr. Spring "Professor Anthon, of Columbia College "-" My father, Mr. Jones"-"My sister, Miss Jones"-or, more familiarly, "My sister, Mary."

66

23. Shaking hands is another ceremony that requires attention to do it properly, one should approach near, extend his right hand in a waving motion, and make at the same time a slight bow, giving the hand presented to him a soft pressure, and a gentle shake.

*The author, it will be perceived, has taken many of his thoughts and some of his language from the well-known letters on this subject.

24. SITTING.-Many persons offend against elegance and good manners by the positions they often allow themselves in sitting. The best place for the feet is upon the floor-not close together, nor much apart-with the toes turned a little out. The knees should also be kept slightly apart to cross them one over the other, though much practised, is not becoming; and to embrace them with the hands joined is considered vulgar. To stretch out the limbs while sitting shows conceit and pride; and to bend them up gives an air of timidity. To spread the hands apart upon the knees; to lean forward and place the arms upon the thighs, or to cross them so as to place the elbows in opposite hands; to sit bolt upright and stiff, with one arm perhaps thrown over the back of the chair; to lean so as to tip the chair back, or to sit just upon the edge of it, or to lean the head against the wall, or to loll back upon a sofa with the limbs stretched out-these are all considered breaches of good manners.

25. It is not uncommon in this country for persons to rise from a low condition to eminence, "and bear their blushing honors thick upon them," and still retain the early marks of their origin. Hence the necessity of having the elements of good manners enter largely into a course of education. If the children and youth that crowd our schools and colleges were all from families in polished life, the case would be different; for home influences might well supply the defect: but they are not : many of them bring habits that need to be corrected; and unless they are, and others are implanted, and rendered easy and natural by careful training, they never

can attain the pleasing manner and address of accomplished gentlemen.

26. If you desire good conversational powers, improve your mind by reading, by thinking, by observation; and account no acquisition unworthy of your attention, which may qualify you better for social life.

27. Aim to be faultless in your language, expression, and general appearance; and for this end, avail yourself of the eyes, ears, and good taste of experienced friends for, without such aid, no one can clearly see his own faults, any more than he can see his own face without a mirror.

28. You desire, of course, to be self-possessed, and at ease: then whatever amiable qualities you would have adorn you in society, be careful to practise at home, and render familiar in your daily intercourse: they will thus acquire the strength and force of a habit; else, depend upon it, the attempt to exhibit them will always be attended with effort, and will never rise higher than mere affectation.

29. What gives to politeness its highest grace-its sweetest charm, is the entire forgetfulness of self, in the desire to please and to benefit others. Having its seat in the heart, and leading ever to do to others what we would that they should do to us, it reflects the courtesy, the kindness, simplicity and purity of Christian principle.

READING AND SPEAKING.

LESSON XXVIII.

1. PROVERBS OF DIFFERENT NATIONS.

Latin.—What is not needful' is dear at a farthing.
Italian.-There is no worse robber | than a bad

book.

Spanish. The robes of lawyers | are lined with the obstinacy of suitors.

One father can support ten children: ten children | cannot support one father.

[ocr errors]

Turkish. It is easy to go afoot, when one leads one's horse by the bridle.

[ocr errors]

Curses, like chickens, always come home to roost. German.-Charity gives itself rìch; covetousness hoards itself poòr.

English. He who says what he likes, shall hear what he does not like.

No páins, no gàins-no sweat, no sweet.

2. BREVITY AND CLEARNESS.

An old woman, that showed a house and pictures at Towester, expressed herself in these words: "This is

Sir Richard Farmer; he lived in the country, took care of his estate, built this house and paid for it, managed it well, saved money, and died rich. That is his son; he was made a lord, took a place at court, spent his estate, and died a beggar." Here clearness and brevity are both united-qualities in language the most important, and the most difficult.

3. POLITENESS. I

He that is truly polite, knows how to contradict with respect, and to please without adulation; and is èqually remote from an insipid cómplaisance, and a low familiarity.

4. EASIER TO KNOW THAN TO DO.

[ocr errors]

If to do, were as easy as to know what were good to dó; chapels had been churches, and poor men's cottages princes' palaces. He is a good divine | who I follows his own instructions: I can more easily teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow my own teaching.

I

5. PLEASING DESCRIPTION.

The poet's eye in a fine phrensy rolling,

Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven,

And as imagination bodies forth '

The form of things unknown, the poet's pen |
Turns them to shape, and gives to airy nothing |
A local habitation and a name.

« 前へ次へ »