The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion, Or Familiar Letters to His Nephews by Henry Lunettes [Pseud ]

Addresses, Form of Signature, etc., etc.-Requisites of Letter-Superscription -Writing-Materials-Small Sheets, Margins, etc.-Colored Paper, Fanciful Ornaments, Initials, &c.-Envelopes and Superscription-Wax, Seals, etc.European Letters-Rule-Promptitude in Letter-writing-Study of Published Models beneficial to the Young-Scott, Byron, Moore, Horace Walpole, Washington-Sir W. W. Pepys, etc.-Curiosities of the Epistolary Style— Anticipated Pleasure,.

241

ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE WARNING-A SKETCH OF NILE-TRAVEL.-A Group and a Dialogue amid the Ruins of Thebes-Mustapha Aga and the Temple of Karnac-The Arrival-The Distribution-Delights, Disappointments, and Despair, Anecdote of the Mighty Wizard of the North,

A DRAWING-ROOM COTERIE OF CRITICISM.-The Library and the IntruderPaternal Authority-Condemnation-Comments and Criticisms-A Compliment-A fair Bevy-Wit and Wisdom-Sport and Seriousness-A Model Note and a Fair Eulogist-Paternal Approbation-What American Merchants should be-An Anecdote-Discoveries and Accessions-Apropos-Fair Play and a Ruse-A Group of Crities-An Invitation-A Rival-An Explanation and an Admission-A Rescue and Retreat-An Old Man's Privilege-Seventeen and Eighty-two-May and December, The First Billet-Doux,

268

278

273 284

LETTER IX.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

Comparative Importance of Accomplishments-Difference between Europeans and Americans in this regard-Self-Education the most Useful-Peculiar Incentives to Self-Culture possessed by Americans-Cultivation of a Taste for the Ideal Arts-Desirableness of a Knowledge of Drawing-Incidental Benefit resulting from the Practice of this Art-A Taste for Music-Mistaken Conceptions of the Importance of this Accomplishment-Advantage of learning Dancing-Desirableness of Riding and Driving-Various Athletic Exercises-A ready and graceful Elocution of great Importance-A Source of Social Enjoyment-The Art of Conversation-Use of Slang Phrases-Disadvantages of Occasional Lenity towards the Corruptions of Language-The only Safe Rule-Common want of Conversational Power-The Superiority of the French over all other People in this Respect-The Salons of ParisPleasures of the Canaille-French Children-Practice essential to SuccessThe Embellishments of Conversation-Habits of a Celebrated TalkerAnecdote of Sheridan-Some Preparation not Unsuitable before going into Society-Qualities most essential to secure Popularity in General SocietyThe "Guilt of giving Pain "--Avoidance of Personalities-The Language of Compliment-Two Good Rules-Reprehensibleness of the Habit of indulging in Gossip, Scandal, or Puerile Conversation-The Records of "Heaven's High Chancery "-Importance of Exact Truthfulness in Conversation-The Capacity of adapting Language to Occasions of Importance

Use of Foreign Phrases or Words-Tact and Good-Breeding the Safest

Guides in such Matters-Advantage of the Companionship of Cultivated

Persons, in Promoting Conversational Skill-Misuse of Strong Language—

Conversational Courtesies-Aphorism by Mr. Madison-Modesty Proper to

the Young in this Respect-Bad taste of talking of one's self in Society-The

World an Unsuitable Confidant-Quotation from Carlyle-Sympathy with

Others-The softer graces of Social Intercourse-Cheerfulness universally

Agreeable-A Glee in which Everybody can join-Anecdote-Human Sun-

beams-Judicious selection of Conversational Topics-Avoidance of

Assumption and Dictatorialness-Proper Regard for the Right of Opinion—

Courtesy due to Ladies and Clergymen-Folly of Promulgating Peculiarities

of Religious Opinion-Rudeness of manifesting Undue Curiosity respecting

the Affairs of Others-Boasting of Friends-Anecdote-Quickness at Re-

partee, one of the Colloquial Graces-Dean Swift and his "fellow "-Anec-

dote of the Elder Adams-A Ready and Graceful Reply to a Compliment not

to be Disregarded among the Elegancies of Conversation-The Retort

Courteous-Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson-Specimens of Polite Phrase-

ology-General Conversation with Ladies-Essential Characteristics of

Light Conversation-Improprieties and Familiarities-Disagreeable Peculi-

arities-A Dismal Character-Anecdote of Cuvier-Tact in Avoiding Per-

sonal Allusions-Peculiarity of American Society-Ages of the Loves and

Graces-A Young Jonathan and an English Girl-Violation of Confidence

-Sacredness of Private Conversations-Politeness of a Ready Compliance

with the Wishes of Others in Society.

ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES AND SKETCHES.

286

SANG FROID AND SANDWICHES.-A Ride with a Duke-The eager young Sports-
man-A Rencontre-A Query and a Response-A substantial Bonne Bouche. 812

A Frenchman's Relaxation.

Polemics and Politeness-Watering-place Society-Omnibus Orations-Sul-

phur-water and Sacrifices-Religionists, Ladies and License, Reaction and

Remorse.

314

315

An unexpected Declaration-Parisian furore-The unknown Patient-Prac-
tice and Pathos.

817

The Three Graces-Honor to whom Honor was Due-A Group for a Sculptor

-Woman's Wit.

318

Musical Mania-Guitar playing and the play of Intellect.

A Fair Discussion

323

National Dialect-A Bagatelle.

324

A Murillo and a Living Study-A Morning in the Louvre with a congenial

Friend-A Painter's Advice-True Epicureanism.

Ready Elocution and Ready Wit-A Congressional Sketch.

326

827

LETTER X.

HABIT.

HABIT always Indicative of Character-Its Importance not properly esti-
mated by the Young-Rudeness and Republicanism too often Synonymous-
Fashion not always Good-breeding-Social American Peculiarities-Man-
ners of Americans abroad-Rowdyism at the Tuileries-The Propriety of
Learning from Older Nations the lighter Elegancies of Life-Madame Soulé
and the Queen of Spain-The tie of a Cravat and the Affairs of "Change"—
George Peabody a Model American-The distinctive name of Gentleman-
Great Importance of Suitable Associates-Spanish Proverb-The true Social
Standard-Safeguard against Eccentricity-Habits of Walking, Standing,
Sitting Directions-Aaron Burr and De Witt Clinton-Bachelor Privileges-
Decorum in the presence of Ladies-Carrying the Hat, ease of Attitude, etc.
-Benefits of habitual Self-Restraint-Habits at Table-Eating with a Knife
-Soiling the Lips, Picking the Teeth, etc., etc.-Nicety in Matters of Detail-
Courtesy due to others-Manner to Servants in Attendance at Table-
Avoidance of Sensuousness of Manner-French Mode of Serving Dinners-
The Art of Carving-Helping Ladies at Table-Rule in Carving Joints of
Meat-Changing the Plate--Proper Mode of Taking Fish-Game-Butter at
Dinner-English Custom-Details of Habit at Table-Rights of Freemen-A
Just Distinction-Unhealthfulness of drinking too much at Dinner-Fast
Eating of Fast Americans-Sitting upon two Legs of a Chair-Anecdote-
Habits of using the Handkerchief-Toying with the Moustache, etc., etc.-
Ladies careful Observers of Minutia-Belief of the Ancient Gauls respecting
Women-Habits of Swaggering in Public Places-General Suggestions-
Ladies and Invalids in Terror of a Human War-Horse-Courtesy due while
playing Chess and other Games-Self-control in Sickness-Premature adop-
tion of Eye-Glasses-Affectation in this respect-Proper Attitude while
Reading or Studying-Habits of Early Rising-A Poetic Superstition unwar-
ranted by Health and Truth-Variance between Health and Fashion in
regard to Early Hours-Aphorism by Gibbon-Habit of taking Nostrums-
Avoidance of Quacks-Habit of acting as the Protectors of the Dependent
Sex-Effect of Trifling Habits upon the Opinions formed of us by Women-
Habits of handling Prints, Bijouterie, and Boquets, of Smoking, Whispering
and Ogling, to be shunned-Importance of Methodical Habits of Reading
and Studying-Value of the Gold Dust of Time--Anecdote-True Rule for
Reading to Advantage-Habit of Reading aloud-Great Importance of a
Habit of Industry-The Superiors of mere Genius-Habits of Cheerfulness
and Contentment not to be overlooked by the Young-Cultivation of Habi-
tual Self-Respect-Pride and Poverty not Necessarily Antagonistic-Self-
Respect a Shield against the Shafts of Calumny-True Honor not affected by
Occupation or Position-Benefits of a Habit of Self-Examination-The habi-
tual Study of the Scriptures recommended-CHRIST, the Great Model of Hu-
manity - Ungentlemanly Habit of being late at Church, etc.-Pernicious
Effects of prevalent Materialism-Personal Enjoyment resulting from habitu-

ally idealizing all Mental Associations with Women-Defencelessness an

impassable Barrier to Oppression from true Manhood-Impropriety of

speaking loudly to Ladies in public Places, of attracting Attention to them,

their Names and Prerogatives-Safe Rule in this regard-The Habit of Sym-

pathy with Human Suffering a Christian duty-Mistaken Opinion of Young

Men in this respect-The Examples presented by the Lives of the Greatly

Good-Mighty Achievements in the Cause of Humanity in the Power of a

Few-Habits of Good-Humor, Neatness, Order and Regularity due to others-

Fastidious Nicety in Matters of the Toilet, demanded by proper respect for

our daily Associates-The Importance of Habits of Exercise, Temperance

and Relaxation-Economy to be Cultivated as a Habit-Economy not De-

grading-Habit of Punctuality-Slavery to mere System condemned-

Remark of Sir Joshua Reynolds-Habit of Perseverance-Value of the

Habit of putting Ideas into Words-Of Habits of Reflection and Observa-

tion-of rendering Respect to Age, etc.-Culture of Esthetical Perceptions-

American Peculiarity-Curiosity not tolerated among the well-bred-The

inestimable value of Self-Possession-Its Natural Manifestations-Concluding

Advice,

329

ILLUSTRATIONS.

JONATHAN AND QUEEN VICTORIA.-A Stroll through the World's Palace-A
Royal Party-The Yankee Enthroned-A Confession,
DAMON AND PYTHIAS MODERNIZED.-A Family Council-A Celebrity and a
Hotel Dinner-A Discovery-A Sketch-Telegraphing and Triumph-Beer
and a Break-down-Drawing-room Chit-chat-A Young Lady's Eulogy-
Retort Courteous-A New Acquaintance-An Explanation-Dinner the
Second-Sense and Sensibility-A Ruse-A Request and Appointment-A
Contrast-Catastrophy-A Note and a Disappointment-Fair Frankness-
An Unexpected Rencontre-The Re-union-Pictures and Pleasantries-The
Protector of the Helpless, .

A VISIT TO ABBOTSFORD.-Sir Walter Scott as Colonel of Dragoons, Sheriff of
the County, Host, Friend, and Author-Mrs. Hemans and Little "Charley"
-Courteous Hospitality-At Driburg with Mr. Lockhart-Solution of a
Mystery-Sir Walter's favorite "Lieutenant,".

Confession of a Celebrated Orator,

THE LEMON AND THE CARNATION.-A Stage-Coach Adventure-A fair Passen-

ger-Churlishness and Cheerfulness-A Comic Duet-Stage-Sickness- -An

impromptu Physician-Offerings-Acknowledgments-A Docile Patient-

Welcome Home-Arrival-A Family Group-A Discovery-Recognition-

An Invitation-Hospitality-Sunday Evening at the Rectory-The Honora-

ble Occupation of Teaching Young Ladies-A Prophesy-Family Jars-A

Compliment,