But one may be perfectly polite to another without necessarily
having a special regard for him. Good manners are neither
more nor less than beautiful behaviour. It has been well said,
that "a beautiful form is better than a beautiful face, and
a beautiful behaviour is better than a beautiful form; it gives
a higher pleasure than statues or pictures--it is the finest
of the fine arts."
The truest politeness comes of sincerity. It must be the outcome
of the heart, or it will make no lasting impression; for no amount
of polish can dispense with truthfulness. The natural character
must be allowed to appear, freed of its angularities and
asperities. Though politeness, in its best form, should (as St.
Francis de Sales says) resemble water--"best when clearest, most
simple, and without taste,"--yet genius in a man will always
cover many defects of manner, and much will be excused to the
strong and the original. Without genuineness and individuality,
human life would lose much of its interest and variety, as well as
its manliness and robustness of character.
True courtesy is kind. It exhibits itself in the disposition to
contribute to the happiness of others, and in refraining from all
that may annoy them. It is grateful as well as kind, and readily
acknowledges kind actions. Curiously enough, Captain Speke found
this quality of character recognised even by the natives of Uganda
on the shores of Lake Nyanza, in the heart of Africa, where, he
says.
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