Excessive Politeness — 142
A Californian poet gives the following lesson on politeness to the youth of the Golden State:—
“Indeed, my friends, far better it would seem,
Were you to choose the opposite extreme;
Like one ‘Down East’ who an umbrella took,
And from the rain gave shelter to a duck;
Who to a limping dog once lent his arm,
And to a setting hen said, ‘Don’t rise, ma’am;’
Nor e’er to lifeless things respect did lack—
Said always to a chair, ‘Excuse my back;’
‘Excuse my curiosity,’ he said to books;
And to the looking-glass, ‘Excuse my looks.’”