The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-09-18
LAWS OF GOOD MANNERS.

ARiS ST. HRJ9 DalNCi, 10
that of manners How difficult to define
how much more difficult to impart.
Better for a man to pursue them than
wealth, beauty or even talent. if it fall
short of genius-they will more han sup
ply all. He who enjoys their advantages
in the highest degree, viz he who can
please, penetrate, persuade, as the object
may require, possesses the subtlest secret of
the diplomatist and the statesman For
the easy convenience of our readers much
pains has been taken to reduce to aphoristic
form some of the accepted laws that regu-
late manners
Never pick your teeth at a table.
Never seal a letter of introduction.
Remember everything except an injury.
Do not make an ostentation of your
dress.
The grace of patience well becomes a
man.
The guest who comes late spoils the din
ner.
True politeness has no time to think of
itself.
self-consciousness is the essence of yul-
garity.
Good temper is the essence of good man
ners.
Do not press a favor where yom see it will
be unwelcome.
There is no hattery so exquisite as the
fiattery of listening.
The last injury which a man forgives is a
wrong to his self-love.
A sarcasm is like a boomerang-you
never know where it may light.
A married lady when she makes a call
will leave her husbands card.
A man who talks slang in a lady's hear
ing stands in need OF discipline.
Be careful how you convince You friend
that he has made a mistake.
A young lady may give her hand to a
stranger, but will not shake his.
In helping any one at table never use a
knife when you can use a spoon.
Pride, ~ill-nature and want of sense are
the three great sources of ~ill-manners.
Learn to hold ~yourtongue. Five words
cost Zacharias forty weeks silence.
Give UP to eads and snobs the practice of
smoking in the streets OF in a theatre.
In passing from the d~rawing-room to the
dining-room the lady takes precedence.
Nothing indicates a well-bred man more
than a proper mode of eating his dinner.
II you meet an acquaintance while walk
ing with a friend do not introduce them.
A rudeness is worse than a crime; it is a
blunder because it is so easy to be polite.
Never use your knife to convey your
food to your mouth under any circum-
stances.
The most disagreeable talk is that which
turns upon a mans or woman's maladies.
A married lady should treat a stranger
with reserve, an acquaintance with reti-
cence.
In making calls do your best to tighten
the infection to your hostess. Do not stay
long.
Good manners is the art of making easy
the person with whom we are brought in
contact.
Gentlemen do not take off their hats to
each other. This is a courtesy reserved for
the ladies.
Never make introdnctions unless you
have good reason to believe that both par
ties are agreeable.
In the country gentlemen do not offer
their arms TO ladies but in large towns
this should be done.
In railroad travelling no gentleman will
address a lady who is unknown TO him I'M
less she invites it.
There are three articles of dress which
pre-eminently show the gentleman-hats,
boots and gloves.
Ladies should remember that the art of
dressing well lies in the happy combina-
ton and harmony of colors.
Never give letters of introduction unless
You are prepared to be responsible for the
persons to whom they are given.
Garry your hat and cane (but not Your
umbrella) into the ~drawing-room as a visi-
Die sign of your intention to leave quickly.
Be especially careful III making introduce
lions to ladies. 1t is an insult if you pre-
sent 10 a lady any person of doubtful repu-
tation.
There is no policy like ~politeness, and a
good n is the best thing in the world
either to get a good name or supply the
want of it.
In bowling to a lady in the street lift your
hat off your head. Do not allow her to
suppose that you wear a wig and are afriad
to disarrange it.
The holder of a letter of introduction
should send it with his card of address.
The receiver, if he be a gentleman will call
upon you without delay.
If you pass an acquaintance with a lady
ON his arm do not nod; take off your hat, SO
that your salute may seem to include both
your friend and the lady.
Avoid onions: or. after partaking of
them, shut yourself up in the solitude of
your chamber Until you are purified. A
story is told of an onion eater who entered
an inn with the remark that for the last
two hours he had had the wind in his teeth.
Had you = exclaimed one of the COM
pany; ''ehen, by jove, sir, the wind had the