All _mere_ ceremonies are easy, and even in matters of the highest import, become mechanical to those accustomed to perform them daily--but are always irksome to those who never went through them--nor do they form any part of our habits of thinking and acting, as conformable to the nature of our institutions. I am apprehensive that they are on the increase, though well convinced that they are not desired by the president himself, and others that I could name. But they are _fashionable_; and it is easier to correct a positive vice than to do away an idle fashion. This fashion keeps no one from the presence of influential persons who has sinister designs to accomplish, but checks the warm flow of the blood with which an honest farmer or mechanic would meet his own elected rulers, and prevents that freedom of discussion by which truth is manifested. Let us all endeavour to imitate the simplicity and frankness of Jefferson--under this solemn assurance, that the further we are removed from this plainness, the greater is the danger of despotism. I am very far from being an enemy to what are called the elegancies of life, and am quite willing that, if a couple of dancing masters meet, they should bow to each other, "according to rule," for half an hour before they approached near enough to touch the tip of each other's finger, as the _sign_ of shaking hands! Let those enjoy it who can, and practice it who may--but it is not the _manner_ in which sincerity is shown, or good fellowship promoted. The homage of the heart, such as the republican will feel in reading the _text_ of this article, is worth more than all the forms of etiquette ever devised. It is as a rock in the midst of the sea--faction assails it in vain; it is _principle_ only that takes effect upon it. The tide of popularity may rise and fall, but the foundation is not to be shaken. [_Niles' Reg._ _On the Importance of Manner._ To exasperate is not the way to convince: nor does asperity of language or of manner necessarily belong to the duty of plain dealing. So far otherwise, a scolding preacher, or a snarling reprover, betrays alike a gross ignorance of the philosophy of the human mind, and the absence of Christian meekness; and how zealous soever be his aim to do good, the provokingness of his manner will defeat the benevolence of his intentions.