Show popularity apparently universal desire among men to obtain it popularity though founded on a virtue has its superstructure built quite as often of follies and sins as of merits the desire for it is so universal that we all to obtain it whether we are saints or sinners or a little of both I 1 pride and humility power and weakness selfishness and self sacrifice are all rewarded by popularity in forms as different as the method by which it has been gained the wish to obtain the approbation and affection of others is perfectly natural and right but like many another innocent and beautiful flower when allowed to run to seed and spread itself all over the field of our character its roots take up the place intended for more valuable growths and a poor crop is the result says a writer in far and near we are speaking of the longing for popularity not of that deeper more spiritual craving for love love in its true sense is the greatest earthly blessing we can desire or deserve and is always a stimulus to the best parts of our natures it is at once our strength in action and our rest our moat elevating lesson and our most perfect reward it is the one guide from earth to heaven for there is ao human love all divine earths dearest leads us to ills shrine but popularity and love are not synonymous although perhaps in some future ideal condition of human affairs they may be on the though it would not be at all an ideal state for no ne of us care to be friends in the fullest sense with everyone whom one meets while one docs long to be popular that is to be pleasing sympathetic and agreeable to everybody without resigning eliat closer relationship with our ones friendly to all and real friends with few loving to all and lover to few this is what would be most satisfactory to us the surest road to popularity is commonly supposed to be tact but there is quality without which we believe no popularity to be lasting and that is sincerity tact at its best is of course only the good manners of unselfishness the polished courtesy which that virtue is sometimes able to assume in order to put us at our ease in her rather unfamiliar presence children know their friends we say and dogs readily find their way to the feet of thoss who are sure to welcome them in some degree we all have the same instinct and good acting cannot cheat us forever we are attracted at first by the outside by good looks and a sweet voice and then the tactful sympathetic manner appeals to us strongly but in the end the true sincere nature 1 I alie one to which we turn and upon which we learn to depond that is the secret of real popularity the that comes from sincerity we say ot a apman she is wry charming but one never knows where to find her but of another she can always be trusted and is always alie same to us A stranger meet ing a very popular woman for the diw time asked afterward what is the reason that so many people seem il care for her what is the cause of her popularity you say she has a kind heart but that is not enough and she is neither beautiful nor clever and has but little grace of manner after long thought this answer was given she it perfectly sincere to everyone and all who know her feel that they can trust her absolutely |