Part 5

If your superior speak anything wherein you know he is mistaken, correct not, nor contradict him, nor laugh at the hearing of it; but pass over the error, without notice or interruption.

Speak not, without Sir, or some other title of respect, which is due to him to whom you speak.

Mention not frivolous or little things among grave persons or superiors.

If your superior hesitate in his words, pretend not to help him out.

Come not very near to two that are whispering, neither ask what they converse upon.

When your parent or master speaks to any person, speak not, nor hearken to them.

If immodest words be used in your hearing, smile not, but settle your countenance, as if you did not hear it.

Boast not in discourse of your own wit or doings.

If your superior be relating a story, say not, “I have heard it before,” but attend to it as if it were altogether new to you. Seem not to question the truth of it. If he tell it not right, suggest not, nor endeavor to help him out, or add to his relation.

Beware how you utter anything hard to be believed.

Interrupt no one in speaking, though he be your intimate.

Coming into company when any topic is being discussed, ask not what was the preceding conversation, but listen to the remainder.

Laugh not in, or at, your own story, wit or jest.

Speaking of any distant person, it is rude and unmannerly to point at him.

Be not over earnest in talking, to justify your own words.

Let your words be modest, about those things which concern only yourself.

Repeat not the words of a superior, who asks you a question, or talks with you.

TO EQUALS.

Be kind, pleasant, and loving, not cross, nor churlish, to your equals; and in thus behaving yourselves, all persons will naturally desire your familiar acquaintance; every one will be ready and willing, upon opportunity, to assist you.

Your friends will be then all those who know you, and observe the excellence and sweetness of your deportment. This practice, also, by inducing a habit of obliging, will fit you for converse and society, and facilitate and assist your dealing with men in riper years.

TO INFERIORS.

Be meek, courteous, and affable to your inferiors; not proud nor scornful. To be courteous, even to the lowest, is a true index of a great and generous mind. But the insulting and scornful one, who has been himself originally low, ignoble, or beggarly, makes himself ridiculous to his equals, and by his inferiors is repaid with scorn and hatred.

RECOGNITIONS.

A gentleman, on meeting a lady of his acquaintance in the street, or elsewhere, should not presume to bow to her, till she has first recognised him; or she may feel compelled to notice him, when she would not choose to do so otherwise.

A gentleman should never recognise a lady, to whom he has never been presented, at a ball or evening party, and should pass her as a stranger, unless she chooses to recognise him, when he should, as in all other cases, return the salute.

A very young person should wait to be recognised by one more advanced in age.

INTRODUCTIONS.

On giving introductions, always present a gentleman to a lady, save when a lady enters a room where several persons are assembled, when the lady is presented. Very young persons should be presented to older ones; and we should always present individuals to those persons to whom we owe particular respect, on account of age, station, &c.