Year: 1859

asmuch as the claim appears to be
wanting in the most essential element,
merlt,--cannot tail to bo, sustained
before the people, ..,,. D..


The Rules OfPOiiteness and Good


Breeding.


DR.. Judd, of The Aneeyi,can Aqri.
cWiturGIiSt, New York, in response to
a young lady in Indiana, thus lays
down certain rules Of good breeding,
which all sensible ladies AMI gentle.
men will recognize as good common
sense:


"The polite usage" in regard to
ascending stairs is a somewhat moot
ed question. Some persons always
think it the better way for the gentle
men to precede the lady both in as:
cending and descending. Othels say
nothing is more absurd than to do
this. Precedence should always be
given to those to whom we owe re-
spect, or are accustomed to show it !;
consequently when the gentleman
does not ascend with the lady, he
should follow her not far behind, but
as closely as he conveniently can. 1t
is often proper to offer the arm to a
lady in going up stairs; if there are
several ladies, assist the eldest, or the
most feeble, or the one that for any
reason has special claim on your at
tention. The gentleman will give the
lady the side Of the stairs next the ba-
lusters, so that if she need to use the
railing she may be able to do 50.


In descending the stairs the same
rules Of precedence may be observed
the gentleman following the lady
at convenient distance.


If lady and gentleman who are
strangers meet at the foot of a flight
OF stairs, the lady may, if she choo-
ses bow to the gentleman to ascend
before her. lie, of course, bows
courteously to hel as he passes up.


If a lady and gentleman meet on a
public stairs, or in passage-way, he
moves sufficiently to one side to per-
nit her to pass readily, touching his
hat as he does so. Should a lady be
entering the parlor or diuing-halI of
a hotel, either alone or in company
with a gentleman, another gentleman
who should meet her should give her
the precedence with slight bow. A
lady should always acknowledge these
courtesies by an answering bow. If
well bred she will receive no attention
at any time, without a graceful bow
Or nod, although it may be slight
return.


Gentlemen, when walking with la.
dies on the street, should take the
side which will best protect them from
inconvenience. In the country it is
usual to give the lady the inside Of the
walk; in city or village the gentle
man should walk between her and the
crowd on whichever side it may be-
If there be no crowd it matters little
which side be taken.


If gentleman meets lady with
whom he wishes to have a minutes
conversation, it Is better to turn and
walk with her rather than to detain
her. Where ladies stop to speak to
each other they should retire from the
current, and not permit themselves to
incommodc others. ...


1t is expected Of lady to recog-
nize a gentleman who has been intro
duced to her. If she does not he is
not at liberty to recognize her.


Gentlemen usually lift or touch the
hat when 5owing to lady. Not to do
this implies that the person saluted is
an inferior. Gentlemen should raise
the hat when meeting "a gentleman
acquaintance if he be accompanied
by a lady; mere nod would be con-
sidered disrespectful to her. II when
walking with a friend you meet an
it is no: proper, in or
dinary circumstances to introduce the
friend.


1t is always proper for ladies to ac'
cept needed civiities from strangers,
and such civilities should be reward.
I'd with an, 81 thank you, sir" or a
pleasant smile, Or a courteous bow.


Do not, when talking with your
friends place your hands upon them
to give emphasis to your remarks
This "nudging" is vulgar. There can
be no surer indication Of ill.breeding.