Year: 1866

n0Dlene6S OF nature on the one manu-
with the absence Of these on the 9TH
or, as may be supposed, but rather in
a thousand little things Many, who
have excellent common sense in some
things, and even talent make them
selves unacceptable to their friends on
account of uncouth habits. There is
no criminality in being awkward. but
it is a great inconvenience, at least
would be, if the man knew it. In a
brief period one may see great many
things that excite his pity or awaken
his disgust We know a person of
wealth who goes to church early, and
is sure to take out his knife and cut
and clean his fingernails before service
commences. We know another, who
has classical education, who in
church uses his tooth-pick, not be-
cause his teeth need picking, but sim
ply to keep himself occupied, as one
would twirl his watch-key, or as la
dy would toy with her fan.


Now, picking associations are
as bad as nail-cleaning. But we
would rather see person clean his
nails, even in company, than to see
a black streak under each finger-nail
on lady's hand that flashed with
diamond rings but we read in Scrip
ture of the jewel being in an unfit
place, and why should they not be in
modern times?


Some young men whistle in ferry
boat or street car. and we have no
ticed nine times in ten, that the fools
who practice this are deficient in mu-
steal talent and are not aware that
they are chatting the nerves Of every
listen in two ways first, with the
bad music second, with the rawness
of the practice of perpetrating music
on people without any invitation and
without their consent.


Drumming with the fingers or with
the feet, making unnecessary noise
among some people who are nervous
render the society of persons who
thoughtlessly perpetrate these petty
rudenesses almost insufierable. We
are aware that these habits otter orig
mate in diffidence. The person feels
nervous, and does not know exactly
what to do but to practice this drum
ming as kind of outlet or scapegoat
TO nervousness. Well-bred people
may do this, but it is no sign of good
breeding, and it is prima faeie evidence
Of ill-breeding.


Sprawling the feet and legs in
company is another common and very
improper practice. 1t is an American
habit, known by the rule of putting
the feet as high as the head, or high
or. Passing by hotels in New York,
Boston, or Philadelphia, one sees in
single window perhaps four pairs
from third story window pair Of
feet aad foot of leg attached to each.
1t is regarded in England as an of
fence against good taste to show the
bottom of the shoe in company, and
therefore Englishmen are not likely
to so sit as to exhibit the bottom of
the foot, much less rest one foot on
the knee but go into company of
ten or twelve Americans, see what
awkward adjustment the men present
with their feet and legs, and we ask
no severer criticism than that will
give on this bad habit.


Another bad practice in company,
or any where, is to lean back against
the wall, and hoist the feet on the
round of the chair, if it have one
We have seen many nice mahogany
or rosewood chair broken Oft at the
back, by heavy louts leaning back on
the two hind legs-but we beg par
don for having been caught in such
company. II the habit were not un-
couth, and if the chair did not break,
it would mar the wall.


Lounging on sofas, and sitting, as
some gentlemen do, on the small OF the
back, is very rude. If man wishes
to recline on the sofa, let him lay
himself down, and gather up his feet,
as if he were composing himself to
to sleep, or as if he were drunk but
this sprawling, lounging, and leaning,
is execrable.


Picking the nose in company, or
using the handkerchief unnecessarily
or ostentatiously, and especially look
ing at 1t after it has been used, need
not be condemned-the very mention
of it is enough.


Persons frequently work at the
ears "before folks" We remember
when child, seeing woman in
church put her little finger in her ear,
elevate her elbow, and give it one
grand shaking; but though in was
before the days of daguerreotypes, II
was thoroughly daguerreotyped on
our memory.


Hawking, splitting, and clearing the
throat may sometimes be necessary,
even in public, but it should be done
as quietly as possible, with the hand
kerchief to the mouth. Yawning,
stretching, putting the hands in the
pockets, it will do for little boys with
their first pockets bnt when we see
men in the pulpit, or on the platform,
thrust their hands in their trowsers-
pocket. we can not say it is sin, but
it is an uncouth habit.


Playing with the pocket-knife
jingling keys, and loose change, are in
very bad taste. Looking at the watch
in an open way makes one think
person wishes to make display Of
that valuable article. 1t is considered
ill-manners to look at ones watch in
company, but we now speak of public
places, concerts, in church, ETC., and
not private society. One may take


peep at his watch in public places. i


he does it quietly, not to attract at


tention, and it is allowable. Loud


talking is very rude on ferry-boat
|; in railway car, at church, in the
lecture or copcert-room before the
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