facing the horses. . Enter a carriage so that your back is toward the seat you are to occupy; you will thus avoid turning round in the carriage, which is awkward. Take care that you do not trample on the ladies' dresses, or shut them in as you close the door.

The rule in all cases is this: you quit the carriage first and hand the lady out. You may properly speed your horse in driving with a lady, but remember that it is vulgar to drive too fast; it suggests the idea of your having hired the "trap" from a livery stable, and is in every respect ungentlemanly. In driving, endeavor to preserve entire self-possession.

The carriage or buggy should be driven close to the side-walk, and the horses turned from the side-walk, so as to spread the wheels away from the step. The

gentleman should then alight, quiet the horses, and hold the reins in his right hand as a guard against accidents. The lady should, in leaving the carriage, place her hands on the gentleman's shoulders, while he should place his under her elbows. Then, with his assistance, she should spring lightly to the pavement, passing him on his left side to avoid the reins which he holds in his right. In driving, the gentleman must place a lady on his left. This leaves his right arm free to manage his horses.

A gentleman should not drive fast if the lady accompanying him is timid, or objects to it. He should consult her wishes in all things, and take no risks, as he is responsible for her safety. Above all, he should never race with another team. Such conduct is disrespectful to the lady who accompanies him.

លា

CONVERSATION AND CORRESPONDENCE.

అత

It is not given to every man to be a brilliant talker, or to express himself in writing with elegance or force. There is, however, no reason why any person who goes into society should be ignorant of the rules of polite intercourse, or fail to master all the customary forms of address.

It is almost useless to say that your conversation should be adapted to your company that is, nevertheless, the golden rule on this subject.

Avoid politics and religion, and all topics likely to excite argument, or to lead to warmth of feeling or expression.

Talk of yourself and your own affairs as little as possible. personages you are addressing are sure to interest them far more.

Those of the

Above all, never drag in the names of distinguished persons to whom you may be related or who may be numbered among your friends; nothing is more vulgar or offensive. To speak of your own exploits, or to give illustrations of your own prowess and sagacity, is also offensive.

Restrain any desire to shine, and be most particular not to monopolize the conversation. It is presumptuous in one person to attempt to lead the conversation, much less to monopolize it.

Avoid whatever is personal in tone or allusion; neither flatter nor make observations of an offensive character; do not even indulge in badinage unless with friends, who will not be likely to put a false construction on your words, or to take in earnest what you mean in sport.

Do not speak in a loud voice, or assume a dictatorial manner. If any statement is made which you know to be incorrect or untrue, be very careful of the manner in which you correct the speaker. Never charge him with having made a wilful misstatement; suggest a correction, rather than make it; and if the point in question is immaterial it is best to let it pass unnoticed. If addressed in an offensive tone, or if an objectionable manner is adopted towards you, it is best not to notice it; and even when you perceive an intention to annoy or insult, either pass it over for the time, or take an opportunity of withdrawing. Such a thing as a "scene" is, above all things, to be avoided.

Do not interlard your conversation with French and other languages. If you are tempted into a quotation from a foreign or classic language apologize to the company for its use, or translate it; but not in such a manner as to convey the idea that you are glad to display your learning, or that your hearers are in need

SIGNS USED FOR LETTERS BY THE DEAF AND DUMB.

of such translation. Puns and slang terms are to be avoided as much as possible. And remember there are various kinds of slang: there is the slang of the drawing-room as well as that of the lower classes, or of out-door life. Every profession has its own technical terms and set of expressions, which should be avoided in general society. Proverbs are to be strictly avoided.

Be very careful not to interrupt a person while speaking, and should he hesitate for a word never supply it—a piece of impertinence to which vulgar persons are much given.

Never whisper in company; and, above all, never converse in any language with which all present are not familiar, unless, of course, foreigners are present who only speak their own tongue, with which you may happen to be acquainted. In that case take care that, if possible, the company shall be apprised of what is passing. Should a person enter the room in which you are conversing, and the conversation be continued after his arrival, it is only courteous to acquaint him with the nature of the subject to which it relates, and to give him an ider of what has passed.

In conversing with either superiors or equals do not address them by name If they are persons of rank or title, do not say, "Yes, General," "No, Sena tor," ‚" "Of course, Mr. President;" though you may occasionally make use of some such phrase as, "You will perceive, General," "You will understand, Senator." Avoid the too frequent use of "Sir," or "Madam," and beware of addressing a comparative acquaintance as "My dear sir," or "My dea madam." In speaking of third persons always use the prefix "Mr." or " Mrs.' to their names; do not refer to them by their initials, as Mr. or Mrs. B. Never allude to any one as a “party' or a "gent;" and, above all, refrain from any of the vulgarisms to which some persons have recourse when they cannot recol· lect the name of a person, place, or thing. Can anything be more inelegant of atrocious than such a sentence as this? "Oh, Smith, I met what's-his-name driving that what-is-it of his, down by the-you know-close to thingummee's house." Yet this kind of remark is heard every day.

Never give short or sharp answers in ordinary conversation. To do so is simply rude. "I do not know," or "I cannot tell," are the most harmless words possible, and yet they may be rendered very offensive by the tone and manner in which they are pronounced. Never reply-in answer to a question. like the following, "Did Mrs. Spitewell tell you how Miss Rosebud's marriage was getting on?"-"I did not ask." It is almost like saying, I never ask impertinent questions, though you do; we learn plenty of things in the world without having first inquired about them. If you must say, you did not ask, say, that "you forgot to ask," "neglected it," or "did not think of it." We can always be ordinarily civil, even if we cannot always be absolutely wise.

Express yourself simply and clearly. Avoid all attempts at elegance or pomposity. Use the shortest and plainest words you can, and when you have said what you desire to say, stop.