The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-16
The A1't of POfLteness.

A very painful disclosure with regard
to the late M. de st. Beuve is made by
the editor of Paris Almanac, which
processes to give French people lessons
in the art of politeness. The "Almanac
de Savior Vivre," to give it its proper
title, states that the author of the
"Causeries du Lundi," who asserted that
man of genius could not possess bad
manners, was convicted of no less than
eight otfenses at the table by the master
of ceremonies in the house of the late
Emperor Napoleon.
He spread his napkin over both knees,
instead of only half unfolding it; he
omitted to crush the shells of two boiled
eggs which he had eaten; he asked for q
second plate of chicken; he touched the
bones of the chicken with his fingers;
he said "Thank you" to one of the SER
wants; he left his knife and fork On the
cloth instead of the plate; he peeled a
pear latitudinally instead of longitude
nally, and offered half of it to a lady
seated next to him; and, worst of all, he
shifted at his wine before drinking it.
The Almanac de Savior-Vivre con-
demns this deplorable want of teaue, and
explains that, above all things, the nap
kin should be placed to nicely. 1t is
bad taste to open it altogether, and
ridiculous not to open it at all; the cor
rect thing is to open it rather more than
half, and pose it negligently upon one
knee.
Other advice of another excellent
kind is given to people who are not quite
certain as 10 what is the proper thing to
when they 60 into society. Thus, for
instance it is equally bad manners to
eat largely or sparingly when dining
out; for, in the first case, it may seem
as if you had not enough at home, and
in the second, as if the dishes offered to
you were unpalatable.
Not less useful advice is given to
people who are only invited in the even
ing. The almanac impresses upon the
master of the house that it is his duty
to dance with the ladies who do not get
many partners. A visitor in calling
upon lady whose husband is not at
home, must not forget to express hope
that Mr.. - is in good health;". but
if the husband and wife are known not
to be on the best of terms. it is best not
to ask after him.
1t is bad manners to take a seat in the
presence of prince of the church until
he invites you to do SO; and the almanac
says that it is impolite to add post
script to a letter, because it shows that
the writer has paid little heed to what
he was writing, and consequently had
not his heart in the work. Upon the
much vexed question whether it is the
duty of a gentleman TO offer his umbrella
to a lady who has been overtaken by
storm, and with whom he has not the
honor Of an uaintance, the almanac
lays down the rule that it is right to do
so, but that if the lady is young she had
better refuse, if there is any place OF
refuge close at hand. If there is not, or
if she is pressed for time, she may accept
the offer, but she must not speak to the
gentleman, and must merely bow in the
most distant manner when she arrives
at her destination.
These, and many similar instructions,
are conveyed with great minuteness by
the almanac, which modestly announces
its intention of raising the standard of
crusade on behalf of French politeness,
which, in the opinion of the compiler,
exists at present only in name.