Though it is difficult to recall, there was a time when liberalism was identified with cheerfulness.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
It is, rather, "part of a pessimism, almost a melancholy, about the workings of the universe and its human inhabitants which is culturally, if not theologically, religious in nature, and is quite compatible with cheerfulness, even ebullience, about the actual workings of government".
Although Lord Palmerston claimed that "every class of society accepts with cheerfulness the lot which Providence has assigned to it," a restless, upwardly mobile reading public was willing to consider rival Providences that were less enamored of a static social hierarchy.
The contrast between these post-informed consent expectations and an earlier medical ethos is vividly illustrated in an excerpt of the Hippocratic Oath (fifth century B.C.E .: "Conceal most things from the patient… Give necessary orders with cheerfulness and serenity… revealing nothing of the patient's future or present condition".
In his opinion, he said, the desire manifested by them, on this subject, was as reasonable as possible; they do not expect that we should lose sight of a proper and easy communication with the Atlantic, and will acquiesce, with cheerfulness, in a position necessary for that purpose, though it would still leave them subject to peculiar inconveniences.
Nick's account matches Banks's: Cook "gave his orders with his wonted coolness," and the crew "worked with surprising cheerfulness and alacrity".
Bianca joined the following year with a cheerfulness that disguised any trace of family tragedy.
His wife Mikey not only tolerated these pursuits but abetted them with unfailing cheerfulness and was loved by all.
I heard no one complain — politeness was breaking out all around, with that cheerfulness between strangers that is generally reserved for religious occasions and sports events.
What could be a predictable joke is so deftly woven into the choreography — and performed with such cheerfulness — that it doesn't get old.
