pain us by thrusting upon us attentions
which we do not want. There is a kind of officious attentiveness which
is really the expression of a species of vanity. It is true we ought to
be observant, and if we see where we can really help others by offering
kind acts or services, we ought to be willing to do it. But to young
people associated together as schoolmates, the opportunity for
exercising gentleness and kindness towards one another comes mostly in
the line of daily work. Some pupils are more advanced in their studies
than others: some have had greater advantages in their homes than
others: and these differences afford an opportunity for exercising
toward each other a spirit of kindness and gentleness. It is one of the
most common occurrences in schools for pupils to come in who have not
had the advantages which enable them to know how to conduct themselves
gracefully in society; how to dress themselves; how to use knife, fork,
napkin, etc., properly at the table; and while it is of course the duty
of teachers to instruct them in all these things, it is also the
imperative duty of their companions to refrain from unkind criticism or
laughing at and making sport of blunders which may arise only from lack
of information. Very often these students are "jewels in the rough," of
the rarest and finest quality. You may have heard the story of Daniel
Webster, when he came in from his father's farm to enter upon his
collegiate course, and went to board with one of the professors who had
several students boarding in his family. Daniel had certainly never been
taught good manners at the table, however many other good things he had
been taught in his home, for he immediately attracted the attention of
all the other boarders by sitting with his knife and fork held upright
in each hand and resting on the table while he masticated his food. The
professor quelled the rising laughter among his fellow-students by a
firm glance of reproof, but said nothing to Daniel. He had observed
that the boy was sensitive, and he now had the problem before him how he
should correct this awkwardness in Daniel without wounding his feelings;
and he took the following method: Calling one of the senior boarders to
him before the next meal, he said: "We want to break our young friend of
his awkward way of holding his knife and fork, and we don't want to hurt
his feelings. Now I want you, at supper to-night, to hold your knife and
fork the same way, and t