Twentieth century home cook book

7. Abstruse subjects, i)rofessional topics, religion and politics should be avoided. '-The shoi)," as the Eno-Hsh desiiiiiate business affairs, should never enter into social conversation. ",. ' . jitn^ltfiyii 8. Indulsje l»ut seldom in ((notation; never in inuendo, insinuation'or ijunning;. 9. Avoid all satire and sueerino;— the devil is ijainted always with a sneer upon bis lips. 10. Never tiatter, nor volunteer advice. 11. Never talk scandal. 12. Never laugh at your own jokes. 13. Never correct an error, misquotation nor other mistake of any one. 14. Never interrupt a c(mvcrsation without go(xl cause, and always ;q)ologize for so doing. 15. To inveigh against religion, or the nationality or sentiments of any one, is in the very worst of taste. 16. Sit or stand at your ease; avoid lolling, hitching about, playing with your chain or other part of your clothing. 17. Be cool, quiet and collected; avoid haste and worry. 18. The drawing-room comedian is the silliest of the silly. Buffoonery should be left to professional clowns. 19. Never exaggerate nor use highly-colored adjectives. 20. Never attempt to " show off." 21. Never bring in such sentences as " When I was in Eome," or " One day in Paris," etc. 22. Never make yourself the hero of the adventures you relate. It is homely but wise advice never to " blow your own bugle." 23. If your opinion is asked on some subject with which you are familiar, give it modestly, not as though it were infallible. 24. The practical joke is both low and cruel; no gentleman or lady would think of indulging in one. 25. Never use any foreign language, not understood by the company, unless there should l>e some one of that nation present who does not understand English. 26. Never, as it is termed, " take the word out of any one's mouth." Be patient, and in du<! time, no doubt, he who is speaking will find the word or phrase for which he is seeking. 27. Never utter a remark that you think may offend any other of the company. 28. Avoid all profanity and coarse language. 29. Avoid appealing to others to prove your assertions. 392 TWENTIETH CENTURY HOME COOK BOOK. XXI. Calls. 1. Modern fashion declares a call made between noon and five o'clock, a morn- ing call, though, in some cities, calls are still made as early as eleven o'clock. 2. In extreme cases, however, strict formality is not adhered to. 3. A formal call should not exceed fifteen or twenty minutes. These are always morning calls. 4. Evening calls are neither so short nor so formal. 5. A gentleman is expected to make a call: 1st. The day after escorting a lady to an entertainment — -the call being to inquire after her health. 2d. When congratula- tions and condolences should be tendered, as after a marriage or a death. 3d. "When he desires acknowledging hospitalities received elsewhere. 4th. When he desires to hand letters of introduction he may have received. 5th. Within a week after receiving an invitation to a house, even though it was not accepted. 6th. When a friend has returned from a long absence. 7th. When he desires to acknowledge any courtesy. XXII. General Etiquette of Calls. 1. The gentleman retains his hat and gloves in his hand, during his call, which must be brief. 2. A friend should never be introduced without previous permission. 3. Ladies making a morning call, generally keep on their gloves, and also retain their parasols. 4. When callers retire, the hostess rings for a servant to see that they are attended to the door. 5. A hostess may retain any fancy work she may be engaged upon, but of course anything heavy is out of the question. 6. The callers should always be provided with cards, which should be sent up to insure accuracy in the name, and also to leave in case the lady of the house should not be at home.