THE HOME AS A SCHOOL OF GOOD MANNERS
Not long ago I visited a home where such exceptionally good breeding
prevailed and such fine manners were practised by all the members of
the family, that it made a great impression upon me.
This home is the most remarkable school of good manners, refinement,
and culture generally, I have ever been in. The parents are bringing
up their children to practise their best manners on all occasions.
They do not know what company manners mean.
The boys have been taught to treat their sisters with as much deference
as though they were stranger guests. The politeness, courtesy, and
consideration which the members of this family show toward one another
are most refreshing and beautiful. Coarseness, gruffness, lack of
delicacy find no place there.
Both boys and girls have been trained from infancy to make themselves
interesting, and to entertain and try to make others happy.
The entire family make it a rule to dress before dinner in the evening,
just as they would if special company were expected.
Their table manners are specially marked. At table every one is
supposed to be at his best, not to bring any grouch, or a long or sad
face to it, but to contribute his best thought, his wittiest sayings,
to the conversation. Every member of the family is expected to do his
best to make the meal a really happy occasion. There is a sort of
rivalry to see who can be the most entertaining, or contribute the
spiciest bits of conversation. There is no indication of dyspepsia in
this family, because every one is trained to laugh and be happy
generally, and laughter is a fatal enemy of indigestion.
The etiquette of the table is also strictly observed. Every member of
the family tries to do just the proper thing and always to be mindful
of others' rights. Kindness seems to be practised for the joy of it,
not for the sake of creating a good impression on friends or
acquaintances. There is in this home an air of peculiar refinement
which is very charming. The children are early taught to greet callers
and guests cordially, heartily, in real Southern, hospitable fashion,
and to make them feel that they are very welcome. They are taught to
make every one feel comfortable and at home, so that there will be no
sense of restraint.
As a result of this training the children have formed a habit of good
behavior and are considered an acquisition to any gathering. They are
not embarrassed by the awkward slips and breaks which are so mortifying
to those who only wear their company manners on special occasions.
A stranger would almost think this home was a school of good breeding,
and it is a real treat to visit these people. It is true the parents
in this family have the advantage of generations of fine breeding and
Southern hospitality back of them, which gives the children a great
natural advantage. There is an atmosphere of chivalry and cordiality
in this household which is really refreshing.
Many parents seem to expect that their children will pick up their good
manners outside of the home, in school, or while visiting. This is a
fatal mistake. Every home should be a school of good manners and good
breeding. The children should be taught that there is nothing more
important than the development of an interesting personality, an
attractive presence, and an ability to entertain with grace and ease.
They should be taught that the great object of life is to develop a
superb personality, a noble manhood and womanhood.
There is no art like that of a beautiful behavior, a fine manner, no
wealth greater than that of a pleasing personality.