78 THE HOME, FAKM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



"Politeness is the ritual of society, as prayers are of the Church, a school 

 of manners, and a gentle blessing to the age in which it grew. Indeed, 

 some good people classify politeness as one of the seven cardinal virtues. 

 It certainly keeps us from doing many ungracious acts. The good man- 

 ners of those who have no training must be in native goodness of heart, 

 which is the secret of all true politeness ; but very few people can always 

 trust to that instinct. If they are trained to an habitual politeness, the 

 result is most favourable. It inculcates self-restraint, and, although there 

 may be the vices of a Chesterfield under the polish, the polite person saves 

 the feelings of his intimates, and keeps them from losing their temper at 

 the brutality of bad manners. It was sensibly urged by an ouvrier in the 

 French Revolution, that he preferred " the tyranny of the aristocrat to the 

 tyranny of the mob ; for," said he, " I like better the tramp of a velvet 

 slipper on my foot than the kick of a wooden shoe," 



No creature is all saint and no creature all sinner. A mother, a teacher, 

 a preacher, must remember this, and do the best that can be done to make 

 out of the people around one amiable members of society. 



We live in a time of great thoughts, in which much is said and done for 

 the instruction and elevation of mankind. It is the philanthropic age ; 

 the whole sentiment of reforming the masses belongs to our day. When 

 we reflect upon how much has been done by men and women like our- 

 selves, we can not despair, but still hope that we may do something to- 

 wards it ourselves. 



But still it may not be within our power to do more than to make one 

 happy and useful home. Let us remember, if we do that, we have helped 

 to swell the class of the well-bred, whom one day we hope may predomi- 

 nate over the ill-bred. 



" Good manners are the shadows of virtues, if not the virtues them- 

 selves." " Company manners," so called, are therefore better than no man- 

 ners at all. They are not as good as home manners, real manners ; but 

 they may work inwardly. We sometimes gain the real virtue which we 

 have only affected. 



Idleness has no place in the model home. Be indefatigable in labour, 

 and teach your children to work. The earnest worker finds opportunity 

 and help everywhere. It is not accident that make the fortune. It is 

 assiduous purpose and work ; and we all know how difficulty and poverty 

 have inspired and made great men. To the idle and luxurious, opportu- 

 nity offers nothing. The book is necessary to the eye ; there must be 

 something to take hold of. There is something in industry which is mar- 

 vellous. It accomplishes the impossible. It may not always make agree- 



