shown to the aged, the sick, and the deformed; not in such a way as to make them conspicuous, but only to render them happy and comfortable. A kind word and a pleasant smile should be ready for every one. Care should always be taken not to show particular or too frequent attention in company to our favorites, lest it may excite jealous feelings and unpleasant remarks.

Laughing. Do not simper. If there is anything to enjoy that is worthy of a laugh, laugh heartily; but remember that uproarious, boisterous mirth is exceedingly vulgar. The ruder the people are, the louder and coarser will be their expressions of enjoyment.

Social entertainment.-If a person is requested to divert the company with instrumental music, a song, or a story, we should stop our conversation, and listen respectfully till it is ended. Possibly the entertainment may not be very agreeable to us, but the respect we owe to the company, who, it may be, are very much pleased, and to the performer, who is trying to gratify us, should compel us to be attentive. Loud talking and immoderate laughter are frequently heard during the performance of music from those whose selfishness will not permit them to make any sacrifice of their own pleasure for the gratification of others.

It is very rude for a young person to offer to entertain a company without an invitation. When one has the ability to sing or play well, and is invited to perform, he should do so promptly and gracefully, nor wait to be urged. Young people sometimes expect a great deal of coaxing before they comply with a polite request. When one accepts the invitation to sing or play, he should be very careful not to weary the audience by continuing the effort too long. It is better

What kind of a laugh characterizes vulgar people? How should we act when others are invited to sing and play? Should a young person invite himself to sing or play? Why? Should he decline when invited? Should he wait to be coaxed? How long shall one sing?

to err on the safe side by singing too little than to cause annoyance to those who would prefer a change.

We should never ask any person to sing or play unless we are very sure it will be generally agreeable. To give such an invitation as a mere compliment, without desiring to have it accepted, is extremely rude and hypocritical. When a person declines to exhibit his accomplishments, it is not polite to insist, as there may be good reasons for the refusal, which it would be improper to make known to the company.

Practical jokes.-Never engage in a practical joke. In the town of W—, Pa., some frolicsome girls determined 'to amuse themselves by perpetrating a joke at the expense of Miss S. Dressing up a broom in a white sheet, they made it appear as a tall, ghostly person. As Miss S. was sitting in her room, in the dusk of evening, with her back to the door, the apparition, borne by one of the party, entered quietly, and approached her. The joke was expected to be very amusing, and the girls gathered around the door to enjoy the sport. As soon as the young lady saw the uncouth object bending over her, she screamed with terror, and suddenly became unconscious.

So great was the shock to her nervous system that it was feared she never would recover. Long weeks of illness followed, and during her delirium she would cry most piteously and beg that her friends would take that horrid thing from her sight. Of course, the girls never intended such fun as that; nor do young people generally suppose that their jokes will be attended with serious consequences; but as they always involve mortification or annoyance to some one, they never should be practiced. Generally, such fun is played upon some one who is weak or credulous, and is not

Is it right to ask a person to sing merely as a compliment? Should we invite a person to entertain the company? Why should we not insist upon a person's singing? Give the practical joke. Do young persons intend to do serious injury? Is it excusable on that account? What kind of persons are generally made the subjects of practical jokes?

a favorite, and on this account, if for no other reason, no brave, generous, or right-minded person would give it coun

tenance.

Sitting in company.-Gracefulness should be studied in all our actions. In sitting, we should never assume a lounging position. The body should be erect, and yet not stiff and ungainly. The feet should not be extended nor spread apart; nor should they be rested upon the rungs of the chair, since the position is not graceful, and the polished surface may be injured by contact with the shoes. Do not sit astride of a chair, nor tilt it back against the wall or the furniture. Young persons should always give a seat to their superiors in age and station. If possible, we should not sit with our backs to the company.

Standing in company.-Restlessness should not be manifested by continually changing the positions of the feet, and by springing the ankles from side to side. Stand firm and erect. It is not courteous to turn the back toward any of the company, or to pass between them and the fire or stove. If compelled to pass between the fire and the company, we should politely ask them to pardon the necessity. Young people should not lean on each other when standing together. For a person to rest the foot upon a chair or a chair rung is very impolite. Boys should not contract the habit of standing in company with their hands in their pockets; it is not graceful.

Annoyances.-The habits of drumming with the fingers on the furniture, beating time with the fect, humming, and whistling, indicate a want of good breeding, and are very offensive to refined people. A boy may, with great pro

Is it brave or manly to frighten the weak and timid? What is the golden rule? How shall we sit in company? How do ungraceful and impolite persons sit? How shall we stand in company? How do ungraceful people stand? What are some of the annoying habits of rude people? Is it polite to whistle in the house or in company uninvited?

priety, entertain himself by whistling when he is alone, but to do it in the house, or in company, without a special invitation, is unpardonable. If the hair is not satisfactorily arranged, we should retire to a suitable place to attend to it. To comb the hair, or scratch the head, or pick the face or nose or ears, or clean the nails, indicates a want of proper respect for the company. Such actions are not in good taste. Nor should we blow the nose without using the handkerchief.

Tobacco. The subject of habit has been treated in Chapter II, and amusements in Chapter XXII. If, after a conscientious study of these two chapters, any of our boys and girls determine to use tobacco, in any form, it would be folly in us to attempt a further argument to dissuade them. All that can be hoped is, that in using the indulgence, they shall neither interfere with their neighbors' rights nor offend their tastes. Cleanliness of the clothes, hair, and teeth have also been alluded to in preceding chapters. Gentlemen do not spit in company, particularly upon the carpets, or on the stove. Some persons put spittoons in their parlors rather than have their floors defiled; but it is a sorry, confession that some of their visitors are selfish, ill-bred people.

The handkerchief.-There are some articles of the toilet that are designed especially for the use of the owner, and no other. Every person should have and use his own hairbrush, tooth-brush, tooth-pick, and handkerchief. Never offer your handkerchief to your friend, except it may be to clean the mud from his clothes, or some such purpose. He may not wish to use it, and yet will not wish to offend you by a refusal. If at any time you may be compelled to borrow a handkerchief, be sure to return it neatly washed and ironed.

How shall we blow the nose? If persons use tobacco, in what way should it be done? When shall gentlemen spit in the house? Is the spittoon an elegant piece of parlor furniture? What articles of toilet are always for individual use? If we borrow a handkerchief, how shall we return it?

Parlor ornaments and books. Some persons are fond of collecting pretty, delicate, and rare specimens of shells, corals, pictures, etc., and are very sensitive about their being fingered by unskillful hands. When such ornaments are placed upon the mantle or table, they are to be seen, but not handled, unless at the invitation of the owner. We may look at them, and admire their curious combinations of color, but if we should ruin a delicate shell or coral by letting it fall, or in some other manner, it will be a poor apology to say that the injury was the result of accident.

The breaking up.-We should not yawn in company, nor consult the watch, as if we were tired. If it be necessary to leave before the proper time arrives for the company to go home, it is better to do so without attracting attention. It is not discreet to "wear out one's welcome," by staying to an unreasonable hour; it would be better to have our friends regret our going than to wish we were gone. When leaving the house of our entertainers, we should always see them and bid them good-bye.

CHAPTER XLII.

BEHAVIOR AT THE TABLE.

Promptness.-When the announcement is made that the meal is ready, every one should be prompt to attend the summons, so that no inconvenience may be occasioned by delay. On the other hand, we should not seem hungry and

Should we handle parlor ornaments, etc.? Why? Why not yawn or look at your watch in company? How long shall we make the visit? Why? What shall we do at leaving?

What is the subject of Chapter XLII? Why should persons be prompt at the table? Why not rush to the table?