1976. Correspondence
Correspondence with families in mourning should be upon black-edged paper, if from members of the family; or upon the ordinary notepaper, but sealed with black, if from friends.
1977. Ceremonies
All ceremonies are in themselves superficial things; yet a man of the world should know them. They are the outworks of manners and decency, which would be too often broken in upon, if it were not for that defence which keeps the enemy at a proper distance. It is for that reason we always treat fools and coxcombs with great ceremony, true good-breeding not being a sufficient barrier against them.
1978. Love's Telegraph
If a gentleman want a wife, he wears a ring on the
first
finger of the left hand; if he be engaged, he wears it on the