Rudeness will repel, where courtesy would attract friends.
Never by word or action notice the defects of another; be charitable, for all need charity. Remember who said, "Let him that is without fault cast the first stone." Remember that the laws of politeness require the consideration of the feelings of others; the endeavor to make every one feel at ease; and frank courtesy towards all. Never meet rudeness in others with rudeness upon your own part; even the most brutal and impolite will be more shamed by being met with courtesy and kindness, than by any attempt to annoy them by insolence on your part.
Politeness forbids any display of resentment. The polished surface throws back the arrow.
Remember that a favor becomes doubly valuable if granted with courtesy, and that the pain of a refusal may be softened if the manner expresses polite regret.
Kindness, even to the most humble, will never lose anything by being offered in a gentle, courteous manner, and the most common-place action will admit of grace and ease in its execution.
Let every action, while it is finished in strict accordance with etiquette, be, at the same time, easy, as if dictated solely by the heart.
To be truly polite, remember you must be polite at all times, and under all circumstances.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| PAGE | |
| Conversation | 11 |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Dress | 21 |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Traveling | 34 |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| How to behave at a Hotel | 40 |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Evening Parties—Etiquette for the Hostess | 44 |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Evening Parties—Etiquette for the Guest | 54 |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Visiting—Etiquette for the Hostess | 60 |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Visiting—Etiquette for the Guest | 66 |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Morning Receptions or Calls—Etiquette for the Hostess | 76 |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Morning Receptions or Calls—Etiquette for the Caller | 81 |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Dinner Company—Etiquette for the Hostess | 87 |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Dinner Company—Etiquette for the Guest | 97 |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| Table Etiquette | 105 |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| Conduct in the Street | 109 |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| Letter Writing | 116 |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Polite Deportment and good Habits | 142 |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Conduct in Church | 154 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| Ball room Etiquette—For the Hostess | 158 |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| Ball room Etiquette—For the Guest | 166 |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| Places of Amusement | 172 |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| Accomplishments | 178 |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| Servants | 232 |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| On a Young Lady's Conduct when contemplating Marriage | 244 |
| [CHAPTER XXIV.] | |
| Bridal Etiquette | 259 |
| [CHAPTER XXV.] | |
| Hints on Health | 264 |
| [CHAPTER XXVI.] | |
| Miscellaneous | 283 |
| [RECEIPTS.] | |
| For the Complexion, &c. | 303 |