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9. Moderation: avoid extremes.

10. Cleanliness: tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

II. Tranquillity: be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Humility: imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Franklin, writing in his seventy-ninth year, for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, told what his life success owed to the practice of these virtues.

To Temperance I ascribe my long-continued health, and what is still left to me of a good constitution; to Industry and Frugality, the early easiness of my circumstances and acquisition of my fortune, with all that knowledge that enabled me to be a useful citizen, and obtained for me some degree of reputation among the learned; to Sincerity and Justice, the confidence of my country, and the honorable employs it conferred upon me; and to the joint influence of the whole mass of the virtues, even in the imperfect state I was able to acquire them, all that evenness of temper, and that cheerfulness in conversation, which makes my company still sought for, and agreeable even to my younger acquaintance. I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.

III. WASHINGTON'S RULES

Washington's list is longer than either Franklin's or Jefferson's, as well as somewhat different. Washington's rules, taken from the Young Man's Companion, deal with behavior to friends, acquaintances, and strangers; with "manners," as we often use that word. On the other hand, Franklin and Jefferson are thinking and planning for successful achievement in the professional and business relations of life. As you read Washington's rules of good "manners" of 1750-1800, name those that do not apply in 1900-1950.

1. Reproach none for the infirmities of nature, nor delight to put them that have in mind thereof.

2. Do not express joy before one sick or in pain; for that contrary passion will aggravate his misery.

3. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

4. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

5. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop.

6. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on any one.

7. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unless desired, nor give your opinion of them unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

8. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

9. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

10. Run not in the streets; neither go too slowly, nor with mouth open. Go not shaking your arms, stamping or shuffling; nor pull up your stocking in the street. Walk not upon the toes, nor in a dancing or skipping manner, nor yet with measured steps. Strike not the heels together, nor stoop when there is no occasion.

II. Eat not in the streets, nor in the house out of season. 12. While you are talking, point not with your finger at him of whom you discourse, nor approach too near him to whom you talk, especially to his face.

13. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

14. Take all corrections thankfully, in what time or place soever given; but afterwards, if you are not at fault, take a time and place convenient to let him know it that gave them.

15. Drink not, nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while drinking.

16. Use no reproachable language against any one; neither curse nor revile.

17. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud, but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief, or hand, before your face, and turn aside.

18. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other, or crossing them.

19. In your apparel be modest, endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, with respect to times and places.

20. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings fit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

21. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table; speak not of melancholy things as death and wounds, and if others mention them change, if you can, the discourse. Tell not your dreams, but to your intimate friend.

22. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.

23. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear, and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.

24. Go not thither where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, give it briefly.

25. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others.

26. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

27. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help

him not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

28. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author always. A secret discover not.

29. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

1. Which of Jefferson's rules deal with personal manners? Which of Franklin's?

2. Do any of Washington's rules deal with conduct that is not strictly personal? If so, which?

3. There is an old proverb: "Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you." Which of Jefferson's rules has the same meaning?

4. How can pride "cost" something? See Jefferson's Rule 4. 5. Can you apply Jefferson's fifth rule to any of your school tasks? 6. Does Jefferson mean that one should actually count ten or a hundred if he is angry?

7. Are you applying Jefferson's rule 3 in any of your note books? 8. In what ways can you be more careful in your school life to observe Washington's rule 7?

9. What five of Washington's rules are most important in the life of your school?

10. In rule 20, what does "play the peacock" mean?

II. What is Washington's caution about the telling of dreams? Why does he make an exception in the case of an intimate friend? 12. From all these rules of conduct, make a class list of fifteen, using your own words. Follow this outline:

RULES OF CONDUCT

I. Personal conduct; manners

I.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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JOSIAH GILBERT HOLLAND

Heaven is not reached at a single bound;
But we build the ladder by which we rise
From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,
And we mount to its summit, round by round.

I count this thing to be grandly true:

That a noble deed is a step towards God
Lifting the soul from the common clod
To a purer air and a broader view.

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We rise by the things that are under feet;
By what we have mastered of good and gain;
By the pride deposed and the passion slain,
And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.

We hope, we aspire, we resolve, we trust,

When the morning calls us to life and light, But our hearts grow weary, and, ere the night, Our lives are trailing the sordid dust.

We hope, we resolve, we aspire, we pray,

And we think that we mount the air on wings

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