40 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



such as skating and lawn-tennis, there is no doubt as much necessity for 

 a chaperon as in attending balls ami parties. Not alone that impropriety 

 is to be checked, but that manners may be cultivated. A well-bred woman 

 who is shocked at slang, and who presents in her own person a constant 

 picture of good manners, is like the atmosphere, a presence which is felt, 

 and who unconsciously educates the young persons about her. 



" I have never gotten over Aunt Lydia's smile," said a soldier on the 

 plains, who, amid the terrible life of camp and the perils of Indian war- 

 fare, had never lost the amenites of civilized life. " When a boy I used 

 to look up at the table, through a long lino of boisterous children clamour- 

 ing for food, and see my Aunt Lydia's face. It never lost its serenity,, 

 and when things were going very wrong she had but to look at us and 

 smile, to bring out all right. She seemed to say with that silent smile, 

 ' Be patient, be strong, be gentle, and .ill will come right.' " 



The maiden aunt was a perpetual benediction in that house, because of 

 her manner ; it was, of course, the outcrop of a fine, well-regulated, sweet 

 character ; but supposing she had had the character with a disagreeable 

 manner ? The result would have been lost. 



We have all visited in families where the large flock of children come 

 forward to meet us with outstretched hand and ready smile. We have 

 seen them at table, peaceful and quiet, waiting their turn. We have also 

 visited in other houses where we have found them discourteous, sullen, ill- 

 mannered, and noisy. We know that the latter have all the talent, the 

 good natural gifts, the originality, and the honour of the former. We 

 know that the parents have just as much desire in the tatter case to bring 

 up their children well, but where have they failed ? They have wanted 

 firmness and an attention to the amenities. 



IV. 

 RESPECT FOE THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. 



As boys and girls grow up to manhood and womanhood, parents should 

 respect that nascent dignity which comes with the age they should re- 

 spect individuality. It is one reason, perhaps, why sisters cannot always 

 live together happily, that neither has been taught to respect the other's 

 strong peculiarity of character, at least in outward manner. If we treated 

 our brothers and sisters with the same respect that we treat our formal 

 acquaintances in matters of friendship, opinion, and taste, there would be 

 greater harmony in households. 



