talent of enforcing them, will ere long supply one of the most exigent demands of the community.

In my view, good manners must rest upon three principles, honor, grace and politeness; and whatever is incompatible with these, or either of these, must be inconsistent with good breeding.

HONOR.

This is a feeling of self-respect, which leads a person to shun every species of meanness. It is therefore incompatible with trick, artifice and cunning, by which some advantage is to be gained over another. It interdicts lying, deception and equivocation of all kinds. Such is true honor; and though it may generally be considered rather as a masculine accomplishment, still, it is not unworthy of being woven in with the graces of female manners. The dignity, frankness and sincerity which the principle of honor imparts to the air and bearing of every individual in whose heart it resides, is not unbecoming in a lady, though it may be a more indispensable and appropriate finish to the manners of a gentleman.

I need not say that duelling, though often designated as an "affair of honor," usually

springs from a violation of the principles of true honor. If a man has done another an injury, he best avoids meanness and consults his dignity by making due acknowledgments. If these

are not satisfactory, does he act a noble part in being cowed by public opinion so as to risk his own life and seek that of another, rather than stand upon his own conscious rectitude?

GRACE.

The definition of this, in application to manners, is that ease and propriety which win the favor of all. It displays itself in those movements of the body, those expressions of countenance, those forms of speech, and that general bearing, which bespeak good taste, chastened feelings, and refinement. It is a quality which puts a stranger at ease, and banishes uncomfortable restraint, even among those who may be of unequal conditions in life, or who chance to meet for the first time. It is opposed alike to affectation and awkwardness, and is of so captivating a nature that it may be witnessed by the plebeian in the patrician without envy, and without exciting a painful sense of humiliation. As honor is the essential mark of a gentleman, grace is the special ornament of a lady.

POLITENESS.

This consists in an agreeable personal demeanor, and is founded upon the great rule of morality,-do to another as you would have another do to you. We are apt to restrict this to the greater transactions of life. What I now propose is an observance of it in little things-in the every-day intercourse between man and man. I do not mean the arbitrary forms and ceremonies of mere fashionable life, but I mean an habitual regard for the feelings of others, and those looks, words and actions which spring from such a principle. We have no more right wantonly to wound the sensibility of another, than wantonly to inflict wounds upon his body. We have no more right to steal away another's peace of mind, than to steal his visible and tangible property. In a moral point of view, as I have said before, the one act is as wrong as the other. We have laws to protect money, lands, and merchandise; politeness is a code of delicate morals which would throw protection around the nicer and subtler feelings of the heart. Establish these in the minds of children; render them familiar by habit, easy by repetition. Teach a child to regard the feelings of his brothers, sisters and playmates. If you see him attempt, by look,

word, or deed, to inflict pain upon the sensitive bosom of his little playfellows, interpose a decisive check. If you see him indifferent, careless, or wanton in respect to the feelings of his companions, let him understand that it is an offence against parental authority. Teach him to mould all his feelings and manners so as to please and gratify those around him. Selflove, as before remarked, is the master passion, and selfishness unchecked is likely to rule the heart, and obtrude its harsh features through every look, and tone, and gesture. If we would be virtuous, we must repress selfishness. If we would be loved, we must learn to check its display. Politeness is a training which renders this easy. It teaches us, when tempted by selfishness to snatch at some proffered pleasure, to defer our own wishes to the claims of others. It not only hides, but it crushes those petty desires, whims and caprices, which, if indulged, deform the character, and, if diffused, would deprive society of its brightest charms.

I would say, then, teach politeness to children; teach it as a principle of duty; encourage its practice, that it may become a matter of habit. After sleep, let the family circle meet in the morning with a kindly salutation; as they part to rest, let their last words be a fond "good night."

Meeting or parting, let the different members of the household be accustomed to show a delicate regard to the wishes, tastes and feelings of one another. This will exert a powerful influence upon the heart itself, the source of all our emotions. It will give charms to the countenance, which no other beauty can bestow; a sweetness to the voice, which is better than music; and a graciousness to the manners, which is the best letter of recommendation. Thus, while peace is promoted in the family, the children will be trained in those manners which are called a good address, and which will do more to ensure their success in life than any wealth you can bestow.

In illustration of this subject, let me relate a piece of history. A few years since, there lived in an adjacent state, and perhaps still live, a family of five brothers. They each received a small estate at the death of their father, and all settled in the same village. It was about forty years ago that they united in establishing a store. As this was successful, they started a second, and finally a third. In these, they were all equally interested, and, what is remarkable, each individual took from these several establishments whatever articles he desired for himself and his family, and of these no account