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Story
August 20, 1847
Southern Christian Advocate
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
An elderly Athenian enters a crowded theater and finds no seat among his young countrymen, but the Lacedaemonian ambassadors rise to offer him the best seat, earning applause and a remark praising Spartans for practicing good manners that Athenians only understand.
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OCR Quality
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Excellent
Full Text
RESPECT AND DEFERENCE DUE TO THE AGED.
An aged citizen of Athens, coming late into the public theatre of that city, so celebrated for arts and learning, found the place crowded with company, and every seat engaged. Though the spectators were his countrymen, and most of them young persons, no one had the politeness or humanity to make room for him. But when he passed into the part which was allotted to the Lacedaemonian ambassadors and their attendants, they all rose up, and accommodated the old gentleman with the best and most honorable seat amongst them.
The whole company were equally surprised and delighted with this instance of urbanity, and expressed their approbation by loud plaudits. “The Athenians perfectly understand the rules of good manners,” said one of the ambassadors in return for this compliment, “but the Lacedaemonians practise them.”
An aged citizen of Athens, coming late into the public theatre of that city, so celebrated for arts and learning, found the place crowded with company, and every seat engaged. Though the spectators were his countrymen, and most of them young persons, no one had the politeness or humanity to make room for him. But when he passed into the part which was allotted to the Lacedaemonian ambassadors and their attendants, they all rose up, and accommodated the old gentleman with the best and most honorable seat amongst them.
The whole company were equally surprised and delighted with this instance of urbanity, and expressed their approbation by loud plaudits. “The Athenians perfectly understand the rules of good manners,” said one of the ambassadors in return for this compliment, “but the Lacedaemonians practise them.”
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Social Manners
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Respect For Aged
Ancient Athens
Lacedaemonian Ambassadors
Good Manners
Urbanity
What entities or persons were involved?
Aged Citizen Of Athens
Lacedaemonian Ambassadors
Where did it happen?
Public Theatre In Athens
Story Details
Key Persons
Aged Citizen Of Athens
Lacedaemonian Ambassadors
Location
Public Theatre In Athens
Story Details
An aged Athenian arrives late to a crowded theater; young Athenians do not offer a seat, but Lacedaemonian ambassadors rise to provide the best one, prompting applause and the ambassador's comment that Athenians know manners but Lacedaemonians practice them.