How to Behave: A Pocket Manual of Republican Etiquette, and Guide to Correct Personal Habits - Samuel Roberts Wells (best book club books for discussion TXT) 📗

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The Project Gutenberg EBook of How To Behave: A Pocket Manual Of
Republican Etiquette, And Guide To Correct Personal Habits, by Samuel R Wells

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Title: How To Behave: A Pocket Manual Of Republican Etiquette, And Guide To Correct Personal Habits
       Embracing An Exposition Of The Principles Of Good Manners;
              Useful Hints On The Care Of The Person, Eating, Drinking,
              Exercise, Habits, Dress, Self-Culture, And Behavior At
              Home; The Etiquette Of Salutations, Introductions,
              Receptions, Visits, Dinners, Evening Parties, Conversation,
              Letters, Presents, Weddings, Funerals, The Street, The
              Church, Places Of Amusement, Traveling, Etc., With
              Illustrative Anecdotes, a Chapter on Love and Courtship,
              and Rules of Order for Debating Societies

Author: Samuel R Wells

Release Date: September 12, 2008 [EBook #26597]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOW TO BEHAVE ***

Produced by Bryan Ness, Karen Dalrymple, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images from the Mann Library, Cornell
University.)

HAND-BOOKS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT—No. III HOW TO BEHAVE
A POCKET MANUAL

OF
Republican Etiquette,
AND
GUIDE TO CORRECT PERSONAL HABITS,
EMBRACING

AN EXPOSITION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD MANNERS; USEFUL HINTS ON THE CARE
OF THE PERSON, EATING, DRINKING, EXERCISE, HABITS, DRESS, SELF-CULTURE, AND
BEHAVIOR AT HOME; THE ETIQUETTE OF SALUTATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS,
RECEPTIONS, VISITS, DINNERS, EVENING PARTIES, CONVERSATION,
LETTERS, PRESENTS, WEDDINGS, FUNERALS, THE STREET, THE
CHURCH, PLACES OF AMUSEMENT, TRAVELING, ETC.,

WITH

Illustrative Anecdotes, a Chapter on Love and Courtship, and Rules of Order for Debating Societies.

Signature: Samuel R. (Roberts) Wells

The air and manner which we neglect, as little things, are frequently what the world judges us by, and makes them decide for or against us.—La Bruyère. Order my steps in thy word.—Bible.

NEW YORK:
FOWLER & WELLS CO., PUBLISHERS,
753 Broadway.
1887.

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 1857 BY
FOWLER AND WELLS
IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED
STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.

Politeness Defined—The Foundation of Good Manners—The Civil Code and the Code of Civility—The Instinct of Courtesy—Chesterfield's Method—The Golden Rule—American Politeness—Utility of Good Manners Illustrated.Page ix

I.—PERSONAL HABITS.

Where to Commence—Care of the Person a Social Duty—Cleanliness—The Daily Bath—Soap and Water—The Feet—Change of Linen—The Nails—The Head—The Teeth—The Breath—Eating and Drinking—What to Eat—When to Eat—How much to Eat—What to Drink—Breathing—Exercise—The Complexion—Tobacco—Spitting—Gin and Gentility—Onions, etc.—Little Things15

II.—DRESS.

The Meaning of Dress—The Uses of Dress—Fitness the First Essential—The Art of Dress—The Short Dress for Ladies—Working-Dress for Gentlemen—Ornaments—Materials for Dress—Mrs. Manners on Dress—The Hair and Beard—Art vs. Fashion—Signs of the Good Time Coming 31

III.—SELF-CULTURE.

Moral and Social Training—Cultivation of Language—Position and Movement—The Ease and Grace of Childhood—Standing—Sitting—Walking— Hints to the Ladies—Self-Command— Observation—Practical Lesson 42

IV.—FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.

Manners and Morals—Human Rights—Duties—The Rights of the Senses—The Faculties and their Claims—Expression of Opinions—The Sacredness of Privacy—Conformity—Singing out of Tune—Doing as the Romans Do—Courtesy vs. Etiquette—An Anecdote—Harmony—Equality—A Remark to be Remembered—General Principles more Important than Particular Observances 48

V.—DOMESTIC MANNERS.

A Test of Good Manners—Good Behavior at Home—American Children—Teaching Children to be Polite—Behavior to Parents—Brothers and Sisters—Husband and Wife—Married Lovers—Entertaining Guests—Letting your Guests Alone—Making one "at Home"—Making Apologies—Duties of Guests—Treatment of Servants—Rights of Servants—"Thank You" 56

VI.—THE OBSERVANCES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE.

Introductions—Letters of Introduction—Speaking without an Introduction—Salutations— Receptions—Visits and Calls—Table Manners—Conversations—Chesterfield on Conversation—Music—Letters and Notes—Up and Down Stairs —Which Goes First?—An American Habit—Gloved or Ungloved?—Equality—False Shame—Pulling out one's Watch—Husband and Wife—Bowing vs. Curtseying—Presents— Snobbery—Children 64

VII.—ETIQUETTE OF OCCASIONS.

Dinner Parties—Invitations—Dress—Punctuality—Going to the Table—Arrangement of Guests—Duties of the Host—Duties of the Guests—The "Grace"—Eating Soup—Fish—The Third Course—What to do with your Knife and Fork—Declining Wine—Finger Glasses—Carving— Evening Parties and their Observances—French Leave—Sports and Games—Promiscuous Kissing—Dancing—Christmas—The New Year— Thanksgiving—Birthdays—Excursions and Picnics—Weddings—Funerals 83

VIII.—THE ETIQUETTE OF PLACES.

How to Behave on the Street—Stopping Business Men on the Street—Walking with Ladies—Shopping—At Church—At Places of Amusement—In a Picture Gallery—The Presence—Traveling—The Rush for Places—The Rights of Fellow-Travelers—Giving up Seats to the Ladies—A Hint to the Ladies on Politeness—Paying Fares 100

IX.—LOVE AND COURTSHIP.

Boyish Loves—The Proper Age to Marry—Waiting for a Fortune—Importance of Understanding Physiological Laws—Earnestness and Sincerity in Love— Particular Attentions—Presents— Confidants—Declarations—Asking "Pa"—Refusals—Engagement—Breaking Off—Marriage 110

X.—PARLIAMENTARY ETIQUETTE.

Courtesy in Debate—Origin of the Parliamentary Code—Rules of Order— Motions—Speaking—Submitting a Question—Voting—A Quorum The Democratic Principle—Privileged Questions—Order of Business—Order of Debate 116

XI.—MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

Republican Distinctions—Natural Inequalities—American Toad Eaters—General Lack of Reverence for Real Nobility—City and Country—Imported Manners—Fictitious Titles—A Mirror for Certain Men—Washington's Code of Manners—Our Social Uniform—A Hint to the Ladies—An Obliging Disposition—Securing a Home—Taste vs. Fashion—Special Claims—Propriety of Deportment—False Pride—Awkwardness of being Dressed 124

XII.—MAXIMS FROM CHESTERFIELD.

Cheerfulness and Good Humor—The Art of Pleasing—Adaptation of Manners—Bad Habits—Do what you are About—People who Never Learn—Local Manners—How to Confer Favors—How to Refuse—Spirit—Civility to Women 135

XIII.—ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES.

Elder Blunt and Sister Scrub Taking off the Hat, or John and his Employer—A Learned Man at Table—English Women in High Life—"Say so, if you Please" 139

PREFACE.

his is an honest and earnest little book, if it has no other merit; and has been prepared expressly for the use of the young people of our great Republic, whom it is designed to aid in becoming, what we are convinced they all desire to be, true American ladies and gentlemen.

Desiring to make our readers something better than mere imitators of foreign manners, often based on social conditions radically different from our own—something better than imitators of any manners, in fact, we have dwelt at greater length and with far more emphasis upon general principles, than upon special observances, though the latter have their place in our work. It has been our first object to impress upon their minds the fact, that good manners and good morals rest upon the same basis, and that justice and benevolence can no more be satisfied without the one than without the other.

As in the other numbers of this series of Hand-Books, so in this, we have aimed at usefulness rather than originality; but our plan being radically different from that of most other manuals of etiquette, we have been able to avail ourself to only a very limited extent of the labors of others, except in the matter of mere conventional forms.

Sensible of the imperfections of our work, but hoping that it will do some acceptable service in the cause of good manners, and aid, in a humble way, in the building up of a truly American and republican school of politeness, we now submit it, with great deference, to a discerning public.

INTRODUCTION.

ome one has defined politeness as "only an elegant form of justice;" but it is something more. It is the result of the combined action of all the moral and social feelings, guided by judgment and refined by taste. It requires the exercise of benevolence, veneration (in its human aspect), adhesiveness, and ideality, as well as of conscientiousness. It is the spontaneous recognition of human solidarity—the flowering of philanthropy—the fine art of the social passions. It is to the heart what music is to the ear, and painting and sculpture to the eye.

One can not commit a greater mistake than to make politeness a mere matter of arbitrary forms. It has as real and permanent a foundation in the nature and relations of men and women, as have government and the common law. The civil code is not more binding upon us than is the code of civility. Portions of the former become, from time to time, inoperative—mere dead letters on the statute-book, on account of the conditions on which they were founded ceasing to exist; and many of the enactments of the latter lose their significance and binding force from the same cause. Many of the forms now in vogue, in what is called fashionable society, are of this character. Under the circumstances which called them into existence they were appropriate and beautiful; under changed circumstances they are simply absurd. There are other forms of observances over which time and place have no influence—which are always and everywhere binding.

Politeness itself is always the same. The rules of etiquette, which are merely the forms in which it finds expression, vary with time and place. A sincere regard for the rights of others, in the smallest matters as well as the largest, genuine kindness of heart; good taste, and self-command, which are the foundations of good manners, are never out of fashion; and a person who possesses them can hardly be rude or discourteous, however far he may transgress conventional usages: lacking these qualities, the most perfect knowledge of the rules of etiquette and the strictest observance of them will not suffice to make one truly polite.

"Politeness," says La Bruyère, "seems to be a certain care, by the manner of our words and actions, to make others pleased with us and themselves." This definition refers the matter directly to those qualities of mind and heart already enumerated as the foundations of good manners. To the same effect is the remark of Madame Celnart, that "the grand secret of never-failing propriety of deportment is to have an intention of always doing right."

Some persons have the "instinct of courtesy" so largely developed that they seem hardly to need culture at all. They are equal to any occasion, however novel. They never commit blunders, or if they do commit them, they seem not to be blunders in them. So there are those who sing, speak, or draw intuitively—by inspiration. The great majority of us, however, must be content to acquire these arts by study and practice. In the same way we must acquire the art of behavior, so far as behavior is an art. We must possess, in the first place, a sense of equity, good-will toward our fellow-men, kind feelings, magnanimity and self-control. Cultivation will do the rest. But we most never forget that manners as well as morals are founded on certain eternal principles, and that while "the letter killeth," "the spirit giveth life."

The account which Lord Chesterfield gives of the method by which he acquired the reputation of being the most polished man in England, is a strong example of the efficacy of practice, in view of which no one need despair. He was naturally singularly deficient in that grace which afterward so distinguished him. "I had a strong desire," he says, "to please, and was sensible that I had nothing but the desire. I therefore resolved, if possible, to acquire the means too. I studied attentively and minutely the dress, the air, the manner, the address, and the turn of conversation of all those whom I found to be the people in fashion, and most generally allowed to please. I imitated them as well as I could: if I heard that one man was reckoned remarkably genteel, I carefully watched his dress, motions, and attitudes, and formed my own upon them. When I heard of another whose conversation was agreeable and engaging I listened and attended to the turn of it. I addressed myself, though de très mauvaise grâce [with a very bad grace], to all the most fashionable fine ladies; confessed and laughed with them at my own awkwardness and rawness, recommending

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