to hear, and he never willingly listens to anything that an honorable man would be ashamed to speak. He has no slights for the aged grandmother, whose eyes are dim, whose steps are feeble, and whose hands are weak. No rude jest escapes his lips in ridicule of the decaying beauty of a maiden aunt. He feels that he should be the protector and friend of those who are weak and helpless. His gallantry does not consist in dancing attendance upon his own particular friends for a selfish gratification, to the neglect of every one beside.

The hoiden.-The hoiden is defined to be a rude, rough, romping girl. The term will apply to such as are not restrained by the rules of polite society to be courteous and civil, but are continually planning and performing unmaidenly actions. A kind of independence which asserts itself in always doing right, is not the kind that charms the hoiden. She delights to indulge in violations of propriety, which sometimes shock and always annoy her more discreet companions. Such a character is not the one that wins commendation, much less admiration and respect, from good society. Young men may appear to enjoy her company, but she can never be regarded with that high esteem which arises from confidence in her modesty and reliance upon her good

sense.

The prude. The prude is defined to be a female of extreme reserve, who affects peculiar delicacy and coyness of manners. This character is cold, dignified, and unsociable; always fearful of compromising her reputation; always sensitive, censorious, and apt to misinterpret the words and actions of others. It is difficult to determine which is the least entitled to respect, the hoiden or the prude; both are unlovely and unwomanly.

What is a hoiden? How does she act? Does such a person win respect from any one? Why do young men appear to enjoy her company? Do they regard her with esteem? What is a prude? What is the difference between the hoiden and the prude?

The sociable.-The place above all others in which these peculiar and striking phases of character are manifested is in the sociable or small party. The excitement incident to such an assembly tends to exhibit the natural dispositions of each individual. Some, and this applies to both sexes, are noisy, rude, thoughtless, and inconsiderate; while others are cold, formal, and constrained. To neutralize these diversi

ties, and enable all to contribute to the enjoyment of the occasion, games and amusements of all kinds are brought into requisition.

Indoor recreations.-The subject of amusements has already been considered in Chapter XXII. There is a great diversity in the forms of recreation which may be enjoyed by the young indoors. Some of these are ingenious, amusing, and instructive. Every one in the company should join in any diversion which does not violate his conscience or his sense of propriety. Any play that is rough and rude, in which there is danger of injury to persons, to furniture, or to clothing, ought not to be tolerated in the house. Such exercise is for the open air and the lawn. That amusement which permits any improper familiarity between the sexes is not in good taste. If the game requires the boys to catch, and struggle, and wrestle with the girls, or even to put their hands upon their persons, or to kiss them, it is of very doubtful propriety. Such freedom is not consistent with that respect which the sexes should cultivate for each other.

Familiarity.-No girl should permit a boy to be so familiar as to toy with her hands, or play with her rings; to handle her curls, or encircle her waist with his arm. Such impudent intimacy should never be tolerated for a moment. No gentleman will attempt it; no lady will permit it.

How is character displayed at the sociable? Why are games and plays introduced? What games are unsuitable for indoors? What is said of boys and girls wrestling? Can boys and girls respect each other when they permit such improper familiarity? How must a girl conduct herself to be respected? Should a gentleman ever lay his hands familiarly upon a young lady?

The witty reproof.-That was a witty reproof adminis tered to a thoughtless young man by a young lady. As they were sitting together on the sofa, he carelessly extended his arm upon the back of the seat behind her. "Does your

arm pain you?" said she. "Why, no," he replied; "but why did you ask?" "I thought it must pain you, for I observe it is badly out of place."

CHAPTER XLI.

HINTS FOR VISITING.

Courtesy to strangers.-When strangers enter a community, either to make a visit or to secure a home, politeness requires that those who desire to make their acquaintance shall manifest their disposition to be sociable, by giving them the first call. The moral law, no less than the social, requires that we shall treat them with courtesy and kindness, as it is written, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.” As a general rule, nothing is more grateful to a person of refinement, in a strange place, than to receive evidences of kind consideration and friendly regard from those into whose midst he is accidentally thrown. When a call is made upon a stranger, he or she should be politely invited to return the compliment, which should be done at the earliest convenience.

The formal call. It frequently happens that persons. have a long list of acquaintances, with whom, on account

Give the anecdote. How was the gentleman's arm out of place?

What is the subject of Chapter XLI? When strangers arrive, how should they be treated? Who should make the first call? What does the moral law command? How should we feel, if we were strangers, to receive attention from those we had not known? How shall strangers act when called upon?

of the pressure of domestic cares, or other important business, which demands the greater part of their time, they can not be on terms of intimacy, and yet who desire to cultivate their friendship by the exercise at least of a formal sociability. In order to accommodate this social necessity for recognition, it is the custom to make brief visits or calls, at such times as are convenient, upon those with whom we are accustomed to associate. As the call is necessarily short, it is not expected that ladies shall remove their bonnets or shawls. When calls of this kind are made, and the same may be said of all visits, the visitor should always enter at the front door, but never until after giving a warning by the knocker or door-bell. The degree of intimacy which would justify the violation of this rule, and especially an entrance without the use of the knocker or bell, should be very clearly established. Such intercourse is too unceremonious to base upon it any reasonable expectation of permanence, since, "Too much familiarity breeds contempt."

When the summons is answered by the opening of the door, inquiry should be made for the person or persons in whose honor the call is made; if they are not in, or circumstances prevent their appearance, the caller may leave a card, upon which his or her name is written, which shows that the call has been made. If cards are not prepared, a verbal message may be left, though it is less likely to be delivered. In such cases, the card or the message stands instead of the call.

When calls are not returned, it is understood that even a formal sociability is not considered agreeable.

The social visit.-The call is a visit of ceremony among acquaintances, but the social visit is the informal meeting

Why are formal calls made? Is it expected that ladies making calls shall remain long? Why? At which door shall we enter a neighbor's house? Why shall we knock or ring? What is the meaning of the proverb, "Too much freedom breeds contempt?" When shall cards be used? Why? What is understood when the call is not returned? What is the difference between a call and a social visit?

of intimate friends, who may spend hours in each others' society, with mutual pleasure and profit. Such meetings may be accidental, as when friends drop in to enjoy a pleasant evening with a neighbor, without invitation or previous notice on either side. In these little gatherings, the ceremony and style of more formal visits are dispensed with, and hearty good will and neighborly love and kindness have their freest and happiest manifestations in conversation, music, or other recreation.

If no previous announcement of the visit has been sent, the visitor must not feel hurt if he finds, on his arrival, that a former engagement will prevent his friends from affording him the anticipated pleasure. He should excuse them to fulfill their appointments, and lay his plans to come again under more favorable circumstances.

The invitation.—When an invitation to make a visit is received, we should be careful to be punctual to the hour appointed. It is no compliment to our entertainer to go to his house at nine, when we were invited at seven o'clock. It is fair to presume that we are expected at the time indicated in the invitation, and if we are detained, an apology should be made for the apparent neglect.

The arrival.-When we enter the house, we should always seek the host and hostess, that they may know of our arrival, and they will introduce us to the other members of the family or company.

Sociability. We should always bear in mind that it is our duty to assist in entertaining and making others happy, and, if possible, in relieving the embarrassment of those who are not self-possessed. Particular attention should be

May an accidental visitor interfere with the arrangements of his friends? Why are habits of punctuality desirable? When should we go to visit? What shall we do on our arrival? Do we accept the invitation to entertain or to be entertained? What is our duty? To whom should we show attention? Why?