Part 4

Avoid all boastings and exaggerations, backbiting, abuse, and evil speaking; slang phrases and oaths in conversation; depreciate no man’s qualities, and accept hospitalities of the humblest kind in a hearty and appreciative manner; avoid giving offence, and if you do offend, have the manliness to apologise; infuse as much elegance as possible into your thoughts as well as your actions; and as you avoid vulgarities you will increase the enjoyment of life, and grow in the respect of others.

WHISPERING is often indulged in by the young; and my parting advice to all is, never to whisper, either in the presence or absence of others. What you cannot say plainly do not say at all; and by never indulging in the practice you will never give way to it unconsciously in the presence of those who may think you are whispering of them.

CONCLUDING HINTS.--Adapt your greetings to the ages and conditions of persons, but do not lapse into stiffness on one hand, and excess of freedom on the other. Age demands respect in all conditions of life, and superiors in station should have the deference to which they are entitled.

When offered a seat, or invited to sit to a meal, you are, in all ordinary cases, bound to accept the invitation without hesitation. If you find your friend dining, you cannot expect him to talk to you, unless you join him at his request. If you refuse, he must finish hastily in order to entertain you.

In passing narrow ways, such as doorways and the like, step aside in time for your superior to pass before you; and if he request you to precede him, you must do so at once. If you are the superior, it is a graceful action to motion your companion to take the precedence. No one likes to be the lag-behind by compulsion.

In the street, if a person bows to you, you are bound to return the salutation, even if you do not remember him. You may remember when he has passed, and bitterly regret the neglect of courtesy. Ladies should be on the alert while walking, to give polite obeisance to any friend who may pass, for in this case the gentleman cannot offer the salute; the onus rests with the lady whether recognition shall take place or not.

At a party, if you wish to tell any visitor that his cab or other vehicle is waiting for him, you must use the word carriage. All vehicles are carriages that bring visitors, and no lady or gentleman wishes it to be advertised to the room that their cab, or wheelbarrow, is waiting for them.

Transcriber’s Note

Some inconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation, and punctuation have been retained.

This file uses underscores to indicate italic text. Small capitals changed to all capitals.

p. 26: changed “your’s” to “yours” (seal yours to him with black also)