replaced it on the table, while all the rest stepped over it, or shoved it aside, and he waited quietly for his turn, instead of pushing and crowding, showing that he was honest and orderly. When I talked with him, I noticed that his clothes were carefully brushed, his hair in nice order, and his teeth as white as milk; and when he wrote his name, I noticed that his finger nails were clean, instead of being tipped with jet, like that handsome little fellow's in the blue jacket. Do n't you call those things letters of recommendation? I do; and I would give more for what I can tell about a boy by using my eyes ten minutes than for all the fine letters he can bring me.""

Most persons are influenced in their estimate of strangers by the impressions received at their first meeting. As these impressions are difficult to remove, it is desirable that they be not unfavorable. They are derived chiefly from the circumstances of neatness, cleanliness, dress, countenance, voice, and manner, together with the time, place, and company in which these peculiarities are exhibited.

Cleanliness. The preservation of health and comfort, good taste, and the approbation of friends, require cleanliness of person and dress. As we ought not to offend the sensibilities of any, by neglect in this particular, a few hints may not be unseasonable to those who aspire to be gentlemen and ladies.

Hands and face.-The hands, face, neck, and ears should be thoroughly washed every morning in soft water, and then briskly rubbed with a crash towel until they are dry and warm. There is nothing that preserves and promotes personal beauty like this; it gives softness and pliancy to the skin, and imparts a beautiful glow to the cheek. The hands

Why were these things in his favor? Why were these things better than letters of recommendation? What is meant by first impressions? Why is it important that they should be favorable? What are they generally derived from? What Why should we wash every morning?

reasons are there for cleanliness?

and wrists sometimes require to be washed more frequently, as they are more liable to be soiled. The nails should be pared to correspond with the tips of the fingers, being neither too long nor too short, and should always be scrupulously clean. Dirty hands and nails, especially in school, are marks of extreme vulgarity.

Chapped hands.-Some persons' hands are liable to chap and become sore in bad weather. When this roughness appears, it may be removed by bathing the hands with soft, warm water at night, and rubbing them gently, but thoroughly, with corn-meal and soap. After the skin is softened, and the rough cuticle is rubbed off, they should be anointed with sweet oil, glycerine, or lard; a pair of gloves should be put on, or stockings, if nothing better is at hand, for the night. On the next morning the oil should be washed off with tepid water and soap, and the hands wiped thoroughly. If, after this process, they be kept dry and clean, they will become smooth and soft.

Clean person.-Good health requires that the whole body be frequently and thoroughly bathed, an operation that some persons neglect entirely in winter. The skin is full of minute pores or openings for the escape of insensible perspiration, and if these are obstructed, they can not carry off that waste matter which should pass from the body in this way. Not only does the skin become rough, dry, harsh, and covered with pimples, but unpleasant odors emanate from it. These odors impregnate the clothing, and become very offensive. The remedy is the bath.

All the appliances needed for bathing are a tub of soft water, some soap, a sponge or cloth, and a crash towel for

How should the nails be pared and cleaned? What must be said of those that are habitually dirty? What are chapped hands? How may chapped hands be cured? How, then, may they be kept cured? What does good health require? What is said of the skin? What is the cause of rough, coarse skin? Mention the things needed for the bath.

drying. These things are not expensive, and are found in every house. If the weather is warm, the bath should be taken in the morning, the water being warm enough to take off the chill. The skin should then be rubbed until it is all in a glow. If the weather be chilly, to avoid the danger of taking cold, the bath should be taken before going to bed, the water being as hot as can comfortably be borne. It is not well to remain too long in the water; ten or fifteen minutes at most being quite sufficient. After a thorough rubbing, put on clean clothes and retire. This is a simple luxury, and at the same time a necessity. Those who try it, will not need to be urged to its repetition.

The hair.-For some time it has been the fashion to cut gentlemen's hair short. As a matter of convenience and cleanliness, it would be well that so sensible a fashion should always prevail. The fashion for ladies in this respect has been neither convenient, comfortable, nor healthful.

The head should be thoroughly brushed every morning, that all impurities may be removed from the scalp. Occasionally, also, it should be washed with soft water, in which a little common salt has been dissolved; then it should be carefully combed and dried.

The use of pomatums, or oils of any kind, assists in retaining the dust upon the head, especially of those who at tend school where chalk is much used. Such greasy preparations should be avoided, as the natural oil of the hair is sufficient to preserve its glossiness, if the head be kept clean. When the hair is light, and easily disarranged, it would be prettier and cleanlier to inclose it in a net, or to encircle it with a comb or ribbon, than to attempt to plaster it to its place by such sticky applications.

How shall we avoid taking cold? How long should we remain in the water? Explain why the bath is beneficial. How should gentlemen's hair be cut? Why is the fashion for ladies not so good? How should the head be treated? What is said of pomatums and oils? When the hair is light and short, how should girls arrange it?

The teeth.-One of nature's most beautiful gifts is fine teeth. The laws of health require that they be kept in good order, and social law demands that they be preserved clean, pure, and sweet. Unsightly and decaying teeth are very offensive. If they are disfigured by tartar collecting near the gums, it may easily be removed by applying a preparation of pulverized charcoal and common salt, with a soft tooth brush. Tartar is an injurious and disagreeable substance, which will soon destroy the teeth, if permitted to remain. If the teeth are decaying, they should be examined by a dentist, that the decay may be arrested. A daily brushing will prevent unpleasant odors in the breath, and tend to promote health and comfort. A wooden or quill toothpick may be used, without injury to the enamel, to remove the particles of food that may have remained in the mouth.

Clean clothes.—All linen and cotton clothing should be frequently changed and washed. Dirty collars, wristbands, and shirt fronts are intolerable. Woolen clothes should be regularly brushed and dusted, that all particles of dirt may be removed. If accidentally soiled at the table, or elsewhere, by grease, the cloth should be cleansed at once with benzine or turpentine. Spots of grease upon the clothing indicate a great lack of neatness in the wearer. Every young gentleman and lady should be provided with a handkerchief, which should be so frequently changed as to be disagreeable neither to themselves nor their neighbors. A clean handkerchief is one of the prime evidences of gentility.

Boots and shoes should be kept so neat and clean as to show that their owners are not lacking in good taste.

What is said of the beauty of the teeth? Why should they be preserved? How may tartar be removed? Why should it be removed? If the teeth are decaying, what must be done? What will correct unpleasant odors? What kind of toothpick should be used? Why? What kind of clothing shall be washed? How shall woolen clothes be treated? If greased? What is said of the handkerchief? What is said of boots and shoes?

Odors and perfumes.-Some persons are gifted with a very delicate sense of smell, which they gratify by the use of sweet perfumes. To enjoy this pleasure, they scent their boxes and bureaus with odors, which are thus imparted to their clothing. But all persons are not alike in this respect; perfumes that are agreeable to some are highly of fensive to others. It is not in good taste for any person to use such an excess of perfume that they who pass them on the street, or sit or stand near them, shall observe it, and possibly comment upon it. There may be a suspicion that the musk or other odor is used for the concealment of some scent that is supposed to be less agreeable or reputable.

True politeness would suggest that we shall not be perfumed with cologne or musk, onions or tobacco, the odors of the hen-house or the barn.

CHAPTER XXXII.

DRESS.

The dress is one of the prominent indications of character. In the early history of this government, there was a marked distinction between the grades of society in this respect, but through the influence and by the example of such men as Dr. Franklin and President Jefferson, republican equality was at last indicated by a uniformity of dress.

Do all persons enjoy the same perfumes? Shall we offend others to gratify ourselves? How shall perfume be used? Why should it not be used in excess? What kinds of odors are perfumes used to destroy? What does true politeness suggest? Why not eat onions in company?

What is the subject of Chapter XXXII? What is said of Franklin and Jefferson?