Year: 1866

Anu WIN enC PtAhSei w.


MANNKRs-wHAT NOT TO DO.


A valuable contributor thus shows up
some of our American peculiarities. Many
may here see themselves as others see
them. Read, reflect, and correct your


UNcoUTH HAB1Ts.-The difference be-
tween the gentleman and the clown con-
sists, not so much in the breadth of tho't
or nobleness of nature on the one hand,
with the absense of these on the other, as
may be supposed, but rather in thous-
and little things Many who have excel
lent common sense 81 salhe things, and
even talent, make themselves unaccepta-
BILE to their friends on account Of uncouth
habits. There is no criminality in being
awkward, but it is 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 person of wealth
who goes to church early, and is sure to
take out his knife and cut and clean his
fnger-nails before service commences
We know another, who has classical ed
ucation, who in church uses his tooth-pick,
not because his teeth need picking, but
simply to keep himself occupied, as one
would to twirl his watch-key, or as lady
would toy with her fan.


Now, tooth-picking associations are as
bad as nail cleaning. But we would rath-
er see person clean his nails, even in
company, than to see black streak under
each fnger-nail on lady's hand that
flashed with diamond rings; but we read
in Scripture of jewel being in an unfit
place, and why should they not be in mod
ern times -.--.,s. lad, ..s


Some young men whistle on a ferry
boat or street-car, and we have noticed,
nine times in ten, that the fools who prac-
tice this are deficient in musical talent,
and are not aware that they are chafng
the nerves of every listener in two ways
first, with the bad music; second, with
the rawness of the practice Of perpetrat-
ing music on people without an 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 per
petrate these petty rudenesses almost in
suferabIe. We are aware that these hab-
its often originate in difidence. The per
son feels nervous, and does not know ex-
actly what to do but to practice this drum
ming as a sort of outlet or scapegoat to
nervousness. Well-bred people may do
this, but it is no sign of good-breeding and
is pri;ma facie evidence of ill-breeding.
Sprawling the feet and legs in company
| is another common and very improper
practice. 1t is an American habit, known
and observed by the rule Of putting the
| feet as high as the head, or higher. Pass
| ing by hotels in New York, Boston, OF
Philadelphia, one sees in single window
perhaps four pairs of feet and we have
seen protrouding from third story window
pair of feet and foot of leg attached to
each of them.


It is regarded in England as an offense
against good taste to show the bottom Of
the shoe in company, and therefore Eng
| lishmen are not likely to so sit as to exhib-
| it the bottom of the foot, much less rest
one foot on the knee; but go into com
pany of ten or twenty American men, and
see what awkward adjustment the men
present with their feet and legs, and we
ask no seyerer criticism than that will give
on this bad habit


Another bad practice in company CT
anywhere, is to lean back against the wall
and hoist the feet upon the round of the
chair, if it have one. We have seen many
nice mahogany or rosewood chair bro
ken off at the back, by heavy louts lean
ing back on the two hind legs-but we beg
pardon for having been caught in suct
company. If the habit were not uncouth
and if the chair did not break, it would
mar the wall.


Louneing on sofas, and sitting, as some
gentlemen do, on the small Of the back i:
very rude. If man wishes to rechne OF
the sofa, let him lay himself down and
gather up his feet as if he was composing
himself to sleep, or as if he were drunk
but this sprawling, 1ounging, and leaning
is execrable.


Picking the nose in company, or using
the handkerchief unnecessarily or ostenta
tiously, and especially looking at it after i
has been used, need not be condemned
the yery mention of it is enough.


Persons frequently work at the ears "be
fore folks" We remember, when child
seeing woman in church put her it'll,
finger in her ear, elevate her elbow, ant
give it one grand shaking, but though i
was before the days of dauguerreotypes
it was thoroughly daguerreotyped on ou
memory.


Hawking, splitting, clearing the throa
NAV sometimes be necessary even IN pub
Ilic, but it should be done as quietly as pos
sible, with the handkerchief to the mouth
Yawning, stretching, putting the hands il
the pockets, it will do for little boys witt
their first pockets; but when we see mel
in che pulpit or on the platform thrus
their hands in their trowsers pockets, vi