POLITENESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 68

POLITENESS.

Some boys aud girls are very polite indeed to visitors, but they take off their company manners with their best clothes. They speak rudely to their brothers and sisters, interrupt their elders, and keep on jangling at every meal as if they were a lot of brass balnds gone crazy. I have he-ard of at least one of these children who Wouldn't be polite: Wouldn't say " Good morning," and wouldn't say " Good night " ; Felt it too much, trouble to think of saying 1 " Please " ; Slammed the door behind her as if she'd been a breeze; Wouldn't do the things she knew she really ought to do. Who was she? Oh, never mmd, 1 hope it 1 wasn't you. Some boys se§m to Think that rudeness — especially to their sisters — is manly, which it certainly is not. When our present King was a boy, he was ons day riding "with, his father across a toll-bridge. The keeper respectfully saluted them as they passed. Prince Albert acknowledged the salute by touching his hat and bowing, but the Prince of Wales, boy-like, dashed on without noticing the toll-keeper. His father called him and said: "My son, go back and return that man's salute." One great secret of Queen Victoria's popularity was her unfailing courtesy to rich and poor. The greatest men have generally been very careful not to hurt anyone's feelings by unnecessary rudeness. It is said that the Duke of Wellington's last words were, "Yes, if you please." They were spoken to a servant who asked Mm if he would have a cup of tea. Even in the weakness and pain of death, you see, he did not forget the habit of politeness which had become almost second nature. A true gentleman is never rude to ladies, old or young — especially to the ladies in his own house. A .gentleman once met a little girl -who was carrying a very big baby. "Baby's heavy, isn't he, dear?" asked the gentleman. "No,"' replied the child, "he isn't heavy ; lie's my brother." I am. afraid most of us don't feel it such a pleasure to do anything for our own family ; we are apt to be more willing and obliging when I working for visitors. One thing more — remember that politeness is a very poor article unless it is cheerful. It is liardly possible to be really tind and obliging with a face as black as a thunder-cloud. Does anyone like a lowering cloud As well as the shining light? Does a peevish word have power to plense Like a laugh that is sweet and bright ? Oh, the girl that is gloomy, with fretful scowls, Though she dresses in silk and lace, Hath never such art to charm the heart * As the girl with the smiling face. Dear boys and girls remember this — You are apt to meet with lobs, No matter what thing you undertake, When you're sullen, and .sour, and cros3. Dear boys and girls, I would say it thrice, 'Twill help you in every case, If you'd win success and the world would bless, You must wear a smiling face. — CorsiN Dorothy, in the Canadian Farmers' Advocate.