The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-02-16
Manners.

When in general conversation, GER
tain opinions are pronounced or propo-
sitions advanced Mt variance with, or in
opposition to, your own ideas, do not
rush into IN argument. A disputatious
person is never favorite. If you do not
agree with what is said, it is best to re-
main silent. OF course, if you are
asked for your own opinion, give it
clearly and firmly, and yet in manner
that cannot be construed rs offensive to
those holding different views and if the
matter is one with which You are only
partially or not at all acquainted, own
the fact rather than slavishly follow
what another has said. No one can
know everything, and the candid express
sion that you are not competent to
Judge in the case will cause your opin-
ion ON other points to have all the more
weight.
Some people bristle with objections
like porcupine with quilts. No matter
what is mentioned or proposed, there
comes an objection in moment. Such
habit may he almost ,lnconsciously ac-
quired and INDUCED in, but it is very
veXatlous one.
II person approprlates TO himself
the best seat in the room, or stands with
his back to the fire, or vnwns while he is
spoken to, or, in fact, does anything
which shows seltishness, indifference, or
disrespect, it is needless to say he Gre
ates an unfavorahle IMPRESSION and dis
plays want of proper training
1t is always we'll to comply with, and
defer to, the wishes OF others as far ms
possible Should a person of greater
age on higher rank than yourself desire
You to precedo him, either in passing
through door or entering a carriage,
the proper thing to do is to obey imme-
diately.
Precedence is always given to ladies'
60 in ascending or descending stair
case the lady should go first The con-
trary IN stated in some books on ETH
quettc, but this is not in accordance with
the usages Of the best society.
At church tile gentleman holds open
the door, and the lady precedes him up
the aisle, stopping at the pew-door for
the gentleman to open it. Many ladies',
however, do not wait, but open the door
themselves and enter Mt once.
Should you meet with person of this
temperament do not attempt to defend
your own views. He would continue
unconvinced 50 drop the subject and
turn the conversation into another chan
mel.
The only occasions when the order of
precedence is reversed are on entering n
theater or concert-room, or walking
along any crowded thoroughfare. The
gentleman IN these cases goes first to
clear the way.
With regard to other cases of prece-
dence, be more solicitous about giving
others their position than about taking
your own.
A lady should not I've permitted to de.
fray the cost of her entrance-fee to anv
thcater or exhibition, or to pay for re-
refreshments. etc. IL she insists upon
rcimbursing the amount the gentleman
must compl y with her wishes
Except in large households, where
servants are constantly in attendance in
the hall, it is customary, before allow
ing any one to leave the room to ring
for the servant to open the door. Every
one is entitled to the civility, and its
omission may cause resentment. Ex-
cept, of course, when you accompany
your visitor to the door yourself, as YOU
would do if you wished to show especial
respect or regard, or when you are on
such terms of intimacy with your visitor
that all formality is dispensed with.
When II lady is about to leave room
the gentleman should always rise and
hold the door open for her to pass out