LACK OF REVERENCE IN THE YOUNG
—Rev. A. Smith, commissioner of public schools in Ohio, in a recent report, makes some forcible remarks upon the want of good manners shown by the youth of the present day in their conduct towards the aged. After alluding to the deference and respect which the youth of former days were taught to extend to their superiors in age and wisdom, he says: “But where in all our land, does this good old practice now prevail? Who does not know that bows and courtesies on the part of our boys and girls are obsolete? It has been remarked ‘that there are thousands of boys in this great country, not one of whom has ever made a bow unless when he had occasion to dodge a snow-ball, a brick-bat, or a bowlder.’ Some eight or ten winters since ex-Governor Everett of Massachusetts, with the late Amos Lawrence was in a sleigh, riding into Boston. As they approached a school-house a score of young boys rushed into the street to enjoy their afternoon recess. Said the Governor to his friend, ‘Let us observe whether these boys make obeisance to us as we were taught fifty years ago.’ At the same time he expressed the fear that habits of civility were less practiced than formerly. As they passed the school-house all question and doubt upon the subject received a speedy, if not satisfactory settlement, for each one of those twenty juvenile New Englanders did his best at snowballing the wayfaring dignitaries.”