Page 76 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

READING LESSONS •

freedom, it may excuse a careless, or even a rough demeanour. On the contrary, an intimate connexion can only be perpetuated by a constant endeavour to be pleasing and agreeable. The same behaviour which procures friendship, is absolutely necessary to the preservation of it. Let no harshness, DO appear­ ance of neglect, no supercilious a ectation of superi­ ority be encouraged in the intercourse of iends. A tart reply, a proneness to rebuke, a captious and con­ tradictory spirit, are o en known to embitter domes- tic li , and to set iends at variance ; it is only by continuing courtesy and urbanity of behaviour, that we long preserve the com rts of friendship.
3. You must o en have observed, that nothing is so strong a recommendation, on a slight acquaint­ ance, as politeness ; nor does it lose its value by time or intimacy, when preserved as it ought to be, in the nearest connexions and strictest friendships.
4. In general, propriety of behaviour must be the fruit of instruction, of observation, and reasoning; and it is to be cultivated and improved like any other branch of knowledge or virtue. Particular modes and ceremonies of behaviour vary in di er­ ent places. These can only be learned by observa­ tion on the manners of those who are best skilled in them. But the principles of politeness are the same in all places. Wherever there are human beings, it must be impolite to hurt the temper or pain the feel­ ings of those with whom you converse. By raising
people up, instead of mortifying and deprnssing them, we make ourselves so many iends in place
of enemies.
duties of behaviour ; and that, under the notion of
!fRS. 0HAPONE.
75