which in the section on
_Politeness_, was overlooked. I refer to the practice so common with
young men in some circumstances and places, of wearing their hats or
caps in the house;--a practice which, whenever and wherever it occurs,
is decidedly reprehensible.

Most of us have probably seen state legislatures in session with their
hats on. This does not look well for the representatives of the most
civil communities in the known world; and though I do not pretend that
in this respect they fairly represent their constituents, yet I do
maintain that the toleration of such a practice implies a dereliction
of the public sentiment.

That the practice of uncovering the head, whenever we are in the house,
tends to promote health, though true, I do not at this time affirm. It
is sufficient for my present purpose, if I succeed in showing that the
contrary practice tends to vice and immorality.

Who has not seen the rudeness of a company of men, assembled perhaps in
a bar-room--with their hats on; and also witnessed the more decent
behavior of another similar group, assembled in similar circumstances,
without perceiving at once a connection between the hats and the
rudeness of the one company, as well as between the more orderly
behavior and the uncovered heads of the other?

To come to individuals. Attend a party or concert--no matter about the
name;--I mean some place where it is pardonable, or rather _deemed_
pardonable, to wear the hat. Who behave in the most gentle, christian
manner,--the few who wear their hats or those who take them off? In a
family or school, which are the children that are most civil and well
behaved? Is it not those who are most scrupulous, always, to appear
within the house with their heads uncovered? Nay, in going out of
schools, churches, &c., who are they that put on their hats first, as
if it was a work of self-denial to hold them in their hands, or even
suffer them to remain in their place till the blessing is pronounced,
or till the proper time has arrived for using them?

Once more. In passing through New England or any other part of the
United States, entering into the houses of the people, and seeing them
just as they are, who has not been struck with the fact that where
there is the most of wearing hats and caps in the house, there is
generally the most of ill manners, not to say of vicious habits and
conduct.

Few are sufficiently aware of the influence of what they often affect
to