.MTIxNw.OTUxNDk

From Newberry Transcribe
Jump to navigation Jump to search

In your case, as the Teacher of a high school, it seems very necessary that you hold yourself up, as it were; not proud & disdainful, but dignified: the calm dignity of a christian.

           I would be very careful to avoid familiarity. I do not mean low familiarity. You are in no danger of that. You have no taste for it; but from your manner, your scholars should feel that there is a difference between you & them; that you are really above them in a certain sense, & that a very important sense. I percieve I am writing quite a lecture, especially for a younger sister to an older brother, but I do it in true sisterly kindness & you must not be offended. I want you should always give me advice to reproof, when I am wrong, & caution when there is danger of going astray. In continuation of my subject, (the aforesaid lecture)  I think, from my poor knowledge of "human nature," and from various circumstances that have come to my knowledge, as well as from your own account, that you would have been more successful as a teacher in the far famed Sherburne District, City of Bangor, had you been more distant, dignified & commanding in your manner, & less familiary. You were very kind in the family where you boarded & very accommodating as a boarder but perhaps carried it a little too far; so far as in some measure to lose your authority, or at least injure it, & lessen the respect of others for you.  Bringing wood & water etc. for the Dudleys occasionally, was kind & accommodating in you & was doubtless rec'd so by them at the time, but still too much of any such thing, or of familiar conversation might, when thought over afterwards, seem like letting yourself down somewhat. Perhaps I am mistaken, however. I am "young yet," & a few years experience may change my views, but it seems to me that a teacher who really eels kind & as he ought, may appear kind & affable & be sociable in a measure, with parents & scholars & still keep authority in reserve & not only have it in reserve, but let the scholars all feel that it is so. Mrs. Monroe, who is acquainted in Turner, says 'tis a very pretty place, the young folks are very sociable & clever etc. As for your social parties, I don't know as I would "abjure them altogether"; and yet if you go to one, and not to all, you may cause offense. When you go you will distinguish yourself by your good sense & intelligence rather than by great ease of manners & expertness at too little than too much, in speech & manner," Students,  (i.e.) literary character are not expected to possess that ease & polish of manners which those do who are accustomed to society & have had constant intercourse with the world for years. 'Tis not their trade. Their business is with the inner, rather than the outer man. Something of this same ease of manner is, to be sure, desirable & necessary to every one, but, according to