AMERICAN INCIVILITY.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1879, 11 January 1875, Page 3

AMERICAN INCIVILITY.

There, ia, most undoubtedly,, something in the political equality established by American institutions, which interferes .. with the development of civility among those who occupy what are denominated the lower walks, of life. It is hard to see why this should be sp. One would suppose that political equality would breed reciprocal respect among, all classes and individuals, no less than selfrespect; Certainly there could hardly be a, better basis of good manners than selfrespect and respect for others ; yet, with everything in our constitu i >ns to develop these, together witk arespect for woman which is entertained in no other country with which we are acquainted, it is not to be denied that among the workers of the nation politeness is little known and less practised.. A man who steps into Washington Market, with a good coat on looking for his dinner, will receive the utmost politeness of which the stallkeeper is capable, and this .will consist of calling him V boss," —a boorish concession to civility for the sake of trade. The courteous greeting, the " fch\" and the " Madam," the civil answer, the thousand indescribable deferences and attentions, equally without servility or arrogance, which reveal good manners, are wanting. It ali comes, we suppose, of the fear of those who Bnd themselves engaged in humble employments, that they shall virtually concede that somebody somewhere is better than themselves. It is singular t hat they should voluntarily take a course that proves the fact that they are so unwilling to admit to themselves and others. The man who undertakes to prove that he,is as good as a gentleman, by. behaving .like a boor, volunteers a decision against himself; while he who treats all men politely builds for himself a position which secures the respect of all whose conduct is not condemned by has own. 'f he-American is a kinder man than the Frenchman, and better-na-. tured than the [englishman, but the humble American is less polite than either. One of the charms of i aris to the travelling American grows out of the fact that it is one of the. first places he visits, and that then, for the first time in his life, he comes into contact with a clas9 of humble people who have thoroughly good manners. He is not called "boss," or "boss." >le is himself put upon his good behaviour by the thoroughly courteous treatment fee receives among railway officials, shopkeepers, waiters at cafe and hotel, cab drivers, &p. Ihe " bien! Monsieur," and"bien! Madame," which responds to one's request in Paris, is certainly very sweet and satisfactory after " all right:, boss; you can bet on't." Where the cure for our national trouble is coming & from it is hard to tell. There was a time, fifty years ago, when there wai a degree of reverence in A « erican children, and at least a show of good manners. Great respect to th.^se of superior age and culture was then inculcated, and at least f:rmal courtesy exacted. —"cribner's Monthly.