The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-23

Books OF etiquette are rarely read. we sup
pose, by the persons who need them most. To
the well bred, however, they are usually
source Of satisfaction an ease to the soul. as
confirming the impressions of existence
among well ordered people and assisting the
processes of common sense and environment
in the direction of what is accounted good
brosding which. in "a broad sense il akin to
cleanliness in its relationship TO Godliness.
The writer of "The Complete Bachelor"
thoroughly up-to-date compendium in
thoroughly up.to-date cover of blue and green,
successfully undertakes to present the gentle
man in his various moods and phases. The
book discaims authority except as it is de-
rived from the usages of good society--snd by
that he means IA society the virtue Of which
is dependent upon neither wealth nor title
There is nothing Of the cad about him. He is
precise without being finiclsy, and takes it for
granted that his reader has the instincts OF
gentleman to stars with, and that his pro-
vince is not TO make silk purses out of sowa'
ears or to conduct a kindergarten for Doors.
The franSnsss and sincerity of the book are
admirable and il impresses the idea that good
breeding, like honesty, is the best policy; that
the basis of what we call "rulcs of etiquette
Is the mutual consideration which must exist
between human beings TO keep the world GO
ing smoothly You may wear n SO Derby and
still account yourself as well bred as though
your tile cost you twice that sum, but elabo-
rate jowelry is vulgar whether it Is made Of
brass or Is composed of priceless gems. Some
of the writer's conceis are admirable. For
instance he advises the wearing of your 'old
clothes " in winter on stormy days, because
'syour overcoat will conceal them on the
street, and at the Office the older the clothes
the better" We once heard heated discus
sion of the problem, whether, CONGO ding that
one article of apparel is effective to give the
superficial impression that man is well
dressed, it was more important to have a new
pair of shoes or a new hat. The writer Of
this book, while not going into the matter so
closely as that, declares that ''the pivotal
points of man are his hat, boots and tie.
Have these perfectly correct and the rest will
take care of itself'-on n rainy day with an
overcoat, especially, we suppose.
The chapters consider the duties and deport-
ment of the well bred bachelor in public, that
Is , ON the street, in the theater, in public
conveyance, ETC., leaving the question still
open, however, as to g necessity of his offer
ing his seat TO one of the other sex in n trolley
car, unless the woman should be much his
senior in years, or hampered by bundles or
baby, In which instances, Of course,
there is no question about it; the bachelors
clothes and the care of them, his toilet, his
cards and correspondence, the matter of calls
and dining out, his servants IL he is rich
enough to have servants his club, his sports,
tho extending of his hospitality to men and
women. the dancing party that he partici-
pates i'm and the cotillion that he leads or may
only figure in funerals that he may attend,
and lastly, as to his engagement and mar
riago. The book throughout commends itself
for its good sense, good taste and comprehen-
siveness to the requirements of the well bred
man.
Cd. Appleton & Co., publishers. For sale by
II. Gregory. Prizes sE25.)
''with Fortune Made" q novel by Victor
fvI,ori,t,Iio1 ,,ubliahel bv ID Appletou A. Co