well as he might, he certainly does as well as he can, and it is extremely impolite to appear to be amused by his blunders.

Witticisms. "Never say an ill-natured thing, nor be witty at the expense of any one present, nor gratify the inclination, which is sometimes very strong in young people, to laugh at and ridicule the weaknesses or infirmities of others, by way of diverting the company." Those who are fond of exercising their wit at the expense of others, as a general rule, are extremely sensitive to ridicule themselves, and are very quick to take offense. Such persons should constantly be on their guard, that they may neither wound others, nor suppose, unnecessarily, that others intend to wound them. Wit is a very dangerous instrument. Unless handled with extreme prudence, it is injurious alike to the one who uses it and to the one who is made to feel its sting. Witty persons rarely have very warm friends, as a man may forgive a blow, but rarely can forget that he has been made the subject of ridicule.

Noise not argument.-Persons should remember in conversation that noise and assertion are not sense and argument. If they would command respect, it must be by courtesy. To call hard names, therefore, or use offensive epithets, does not indicate the wisdom or the good taste of the speaker, nor give force to his reasoning.

Truth not always to be spoken.-Nothing but the truth should be uttered. Coarse, uncultivated natures sometimes delight to say an unkind thing, and then defend their rudeness by affirming its truth. It may be true that a man's son is a thief, or that his wife is insane; but that is no reason why he should be reminded of it unnecessarily. It is bad

May we be witty at the expense of others? Why? Why are witty people usually very sensitive? Why do witty persons have few friends? Why is it hard to forgive a joke? Is it right to say hurtful things simply because they are true?

right to add to his Nor should we ever

enough that it is true, but we have no suffering by putting him in mind of it. say anything for politeness that we do not mean; better not speak at all than convey an impression which is not the truth. It does not follow that when you meet an acquaintance you must say : "I am very glad to see you," when you are not; nor, on the other hand, is it necessary to say: "I am not very glad to see you," although it is truly the fact. Never be coarse and rude; but never, as a pretense of politeness, permit yourself to say what you do not mean. Such conduct is "hypocrisy," of which no member of good society should be guilty.

Correction of speech and pronunciation.—We have already alluded to the subject of bad English, as used by a foreigner. Never presume to correct the pronunciation or false syntax of those whom you meet in company, unless you are upon the most familiar terms, and even then it should be done with extreme delicacy and in private. To persons who are older, such rudeness would be extreme.

A graceful no.-Sometimes it becomes the duty of every one to do or say something in opposition to the interests, views, or pleasure of his friend, or to decline to accede to his requests. When such an unpleasant occurrence arises, the refusal should be made kindly and gracefully. Very often it is extremely difficult to say no, but there are so many instances when it is necessary, that every person should learn to say it, so that, if possible, it should not offend, and at the same time should carry the conviction that it is useless to attempt to get any other answer. To be able to refuse a favor gracefully is a very desirable accomplishment.

Is it right to say an untruth for the appearance of politeness? Does truthfulness require people to be rude? What is hypocrisy? Should we correct bad English or pronunciation in company? If done at all, how may we do it? How should we endeavor to give a refusal? When may it be necessary to say no? Is it polite to tease a person to change his mind?

CHAPTER XXXVII.

BEHAVIOR ON THE STREET.

Young people often seem unconscious of the fact that their behavior on the street attracts the attention of older people, and impresses them with favorable or unfavorable ideas of their character. We have already alluded to the modesty that should be illustrated by the "street dress," in Chapter XXXIII. The same propriety should govern all street behavior. Polite people never do anything on the street to attract attention; they should neither talk in a loud, boisterous manner, nor laugh uproariously. Conversation that is so noisy as to attract the attention of the passing crowd is either the result of ignorance or of a petty effort to secure a little vulgar notoriety.

The rights of the sidewalk. It is not courteous for young persons of either or of both sexes to have long conferences on the street, as they may obstruct the sidewalk, and at the same time excite both critical and unpleasant remarks. Every person is entitled to his share of the sidewalk, and this right should always be respected. It is only the rude, low-bred woman and the blustering bully that assert their vulgarity by refusing to give the half of the pavement. As a gentleman or lady can never afford to come in collision with such people, it would be better they should even leave the sidewalk than be jostled. To assert our real or fancied superiority by depriving others of their rights is rude and vulgar.

What virtue should young people always illustrate by their dress and manners on the street? How do polite people act on the street? How should they converse? Why not stand long on the street to talk? What are our rights on the sidewalk? Is it worth while to quarrel about the sidewalk? Why?

Persons passing.-When persons pass each other on the pavement, they should observe the same rule that drivers do on the street, in order to avoid the inconvenience and danger of a collision. Each should keep to the right. When a gentleman and lady walk in company, he should walk at the lady's left, in order to prevent those passing from running against her. There is no necessity for the gentleman to change his position at every corner, in order that he may be on the side next the street. She will be protected better if always at the gentleman's right. Persons walking in company should always keep step together.

Street crossings.-When a gentleman and lady cross the street in company, and the crossing is narrow and muddy, requiring them to go singly, delicacy requires that he should precede her, for the same reason that he should be the first to go up stairs and the last to come down.

Friends meeting in the street.-Persons should not be so engrossed in conversation as to pass their friends upon the street without notice, if it only be a slight inclination of the head and a pleasant smile. Serious offense may be unwittingly given to those whom we should have recognized, but seemed to forget. Such apparent neglect is very trying to the self-love of sensitive people, and may be mistaken for intentional rudeness.

Washington's politeness.-"Captain Stephen Trowbridge, the oldest male inhabitant of Milford, N. H., tells the following incident of Washington's visit to that village in 1790: While the latter was walking about the town, attended by a number of his officers, a colored soldier, who had fought under him and lost a limb in his service, made

How shall persons pass each other? On which side of the gentleman should the lady walk? Why? How should persons walk together? How shall a lady and gentleman cross the street? In what order shall they ascend and descend the stairs? Is it polite to pass an acquaintance without recognition? How may we offend sensitive people? What is the anecdote of Washington?

his way up to the general and saluted him. Washington turned to this colored soldier, shook hands with him, and gave him a present of a silver dollar. One of the attendants objected to the civilities thus shown by the President of the United States to such an humble person; but Washington rebuked him sharply, asking if he should permit this colored man to excel him in politeness."

The veil.-When a lady appears on the street with a veil over her face, it may sometimes be a sign that she does not wish to be recognized, and an acquaintance may pass her as a stranger, without either giving or taking offense. If the lady, on approaching, shall remove her veil, it indicates that she wishes to be seen and known.

Street recognition.-Young people should always be prompt to acknowledge the politeness of those who notice them. They should never speak to their superiors first, as it might be construed as a mark of pert familiarity, but when a lady or gentleman wishes to salute them, they should respond with a pleasant "good morning" or "good evening," as the case may be, accompanied by an agreeable smile. It is expected that a lady will always recognize the gentleman first; a girl the boy; and, as a rule, the superior the inferior in age or station.

The polite bow.-When young men or boys meet their superiors in age and station, or those of the other sex who recognize them, they should always lift their hats politely, and make a respectful bow. This salutation is very graceful, and ought not to be omitted. If a boy passes a gentleman, and the latter indicates by his eye that he intends to speak, the boy, if on the right, should lift his hat with his

What principles does it illustrate? What does the veil indicate? Shall we notice a lady with a veil? Why? Which should speak first on the street, the superior or the inferior? Why? How should the inferior respond? Who speaks first, the lady or gentleman? The boy or the girl? When boys are recognized, how should they act? How shall they make a bow?

M. M.-18