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POLITENESS. | 121

the courtesies, civilities, and decent cere-
monies of the society in which a person
lives. All these are soon learned, and there
is no excuse for their neglect.

Politeness forbids rude words, rude looks,
and everything that betokens a lack of re-
spect to the company present: politeness
would carry the gentle and kind spirit of
christianity imto all the intercourse of
society, Let no one, who would desire the
character of a Christian lady, or a Christian
gentleman, or a Christian at all, refuse to
practise politeness. A person is as much
bound to be just in little matters as in great
matters ; and he who will offend in things of
taste, feeling, and decency, is very likely to
offend in the weightier matters of the law.
Can aman who sins in pence be honest in
pounds ?

There ‘is no greater mistake than’to sup-
pose that politeness means hypocrisy, or
that bluntness means sincerity. Why should
a delicate regard to the feelings of others, a
desire to be merciful and just, even in those
invisible things which can only be weighed
in the delicate balance of the bosom, be

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