and had the air of a countryman. Archbishop Whately was so shy
that he would escape notice whenever it was possible. At last he
determined to give up trying to cure his shyness; "for why," he asked,
"should I endure this torture all my life?" when, to his surprise, it
almost entirely disappeared. Elihu Burritt was so shy that he would
hide in the cellar when his parents had company.

Practice on the stage or lecture platform does not always eradicate
shyness. David Garrick, the great actor, was once summoned to testify
in court; and, though he had acted for thirty years with marked
self-possession, he was so confused and embarrassed that the judge
dismissed him. John B. Gough said that he could not rid himself of his
early diffidence and shrinking from public notice. He said that he
never went on the platform without fear and trembling, and would often
be covered with cold perspiration.

There are many worthy people who are brave on the street, who would
walk up to a cannon's mouth in battle, but who are cowards in the
drawing-room, and dare not express an opinion in the social circle.
They feel conscious of a subtle tyranny in society's code, which locks
their lips and ties their tongues. Addison was one of the purest
writers of English and a perfect master of the pen, but he could
scarcely utter a dozen words in conversation without being embarrassed.
Shakespeare was very shy. He retired from London at forty, and did not
try to publish or preserve one of his plays. He took second or
third-rate parts on account of his diffidence.

Generally shyness comes from a person thinking too much about
himself--which in itself is a breach of good breeding--and wondering
what other people think about him.

"I was once very shy," said Sydney Smith, "but it was not long before I
made two very useful discoveries; first, that all mankind were not
solely employed in observing me; and next, that shamming was of no use;
that the world was very clear-sighted, and soon estimated a man at his
true value. This cured me."

What a misfortune it is to go through life apparently encased in ice,
yet all the while full of kindly, cordial feeling for one's fellow men!
Shy people are always distrustful of their powers and look upon their
lack of confidence as a weakness or lack of ability, when it may
indicate quite the reverse. By teaching children early the arts of
social life, such as boxing, horseback riding, dancing, elocution,