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PRESENTED BY

MRS. ELISABETH THOMPSON,

OF NEW YORK.

FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

GOOD BEHAVIOR.

For seldom yet did living creature see

That Curtesie and manhood ever disagree.

Spencer's Faerie Queene.
Manners are what vex, or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or re-
fine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation like that of the air we

breathe in.

Burke.

Extreme youth gives hope to a country; coupled with ceremonious manners, hope

soon assumes the form of confidence.

Beaconsfield.

And if

ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others.

St. Matthew.

[Sixth Edition.]

BRATTLEBORO', VERMONT,
CHENEY & CLAPP.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

I. N. CHOYNSKI,

Agent for the Pacific Coast.
1881.

COPYRIGHT,

CHENEY & CLAPP.

1876.

21085

PREFACE.

The following treatise on Good Behavior has been compiled from the best sources, and is drawn up under a provision of the early educational laws of several New England States. It is designed simply as a READER for the reading classes of Public Schools, and for no other purpose; though at times the TEACHER may find it necessary to call the attention of the pupil to some particular passage, or precept, and require him to read it aloud for his especial observance. The rules of Good Behavior are social laws; and whoever would be just and true must first prescribe laws for himself before he undertakes to impose them upon others. We read that Lycurgus the lawgiver forbade his subjects to have any written laws, because he thought it more conducive to the virtue and happiness of a state that governing principles should become interwoven with the manners and breeding of the people. The habits which education created in the youth of the country, he thought, would have the controlling effect of law. The principles that are instilled in the process of acquiring the art of reading, are the most likely to produce an abiding influence upon the character of men.

It was said by Franklin, that with all branches of primary education there should be constantly cultivated that benignity of mind which shows itself in searching for and seizing every opportunity to serve and to oblige. It is the foundation of good breeding; highly useful to the possessor, and most agreeable to all.

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