Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-05-03
Hints to Visitors.

Try, without being too familiar, to
make yourself so much like one of the
family that no one shall feel you to be in
the way; and at the same time, be OBJ
servant of those small courtesies and
kindnesses which altogether make up
what the world agrees to call good man
ners.
Regulate your hours of rising and re-
tiring by the customs of the house. Do
not keep your friends sitting up until
later than usual, and do not be roaming
about the house an hour or two before
breakfast If you choose to rise at an
early hour, remain in your own room
until near breakfast-time, unless you are
very sure that your presence in the par
lor will not be unwelcOme. Write in
large letters, in prominent place in your
mind, BE PUNCTUAL." A visitor has
no excuse for keeping a whole family
waiting, and it is unpardonable negh-
gence not to be prompt at the table.
Here is a place to test good manners,
and any manifestation of Ill breeding here
will be noticed and remembered. Do not
be too ready to express your likes and
dislkes for the various dishes before you
The wife of a certain United States Sen
ator once visiting acquaintance at some
distance from her native Wilds, made
lasting impression upon the family by
remarking at the breakfast-table that
" she should starve before she would eat
mush," and that she "never heard of
cooking mutton before she came East. "
If you are tempted to go to the other
extreme, and sacrifice truth to the polite
ness, read Mrs. Opie's "Tale of Potted
Sprats, and you will not be likely to
be insincere again.
It is well to remember that some
things which seem of very little import
ance to you may make an unpleasant
impression upon others, in consequence
of difference in early training. The
other day two young ladies were heard
discussing gentleman who had a great
many pleasant qualities. "Yes," said
one he is very handsome, but he does
eat pie with his knife" Take care that
no trihe of that kind is recalled when
people are speaking of you.
Keep your own room in order, and do
not scatter your belonging all over the
house. If your friends are orderly, it
will annoy them to see your things out
of place; and if they are not, their own
disorder will be enough without adding
yours.
Make up your mind to be entertained
with what is designed to entertain you.
If your friends invite you to join then
In an excursion, express your pleasure
and readiness to go, and do not act as
though you were comforting a favor IN
stead of receiving one. No visitors are
so wearisome as those who do not meet
half way whatever proposals are made
for their pleasure. Be contented to
amuse yourself quietly in the house, OF
to join In any outside gayeties to which
you are invited, and show by your man
ner that you enjoy both.
If games are proposed, do not say
that you will not play, or " would rather
look on" but join with the rest, and
do the best you can. Never let fool
ish feeling of pride, lest you should not
make SO good an appearance as the 9TH
ers, prevent your trying.
If you are not skillful, you will at
least show that you are gOod-natured,
and that you do not think yourself mod
est when you are only proud.-S.
Nicholas.