The housekeeper's companion

In refusing to be helped to any particular thing, never give as a reason that, "You are afraid of it," or "that it will disagree with you." It is sufficient simply to refuse, and then no one has a right to ask why. While at table all allusions to dyspepsia, indigestion, or any other disorders of the stomach, are vulgar and disgusting. The word stomach should never be uttered at any table, or, indeed, anywhere else, except to your physician,or in a private conversation with a female friend interested in your health. It is a disagreeable word (and so are all its associations) and should never be mentioned in public to "ears polite." Also make no remark on what is eaten by persons near you (except they are children and under your care), such as its being unwholesome, indigestible, feverish, or in any way improper. It is no business of yours, and, besides, you are not to judge of others by yourself. When the finger-glasses are sent round, dip a clean corner of the napkin into the water, and wet round your lips with it, but omit the singular foreign fashion of taking water into your mouth, rinsing and gurgling it round and then spitting it back into the glass. Wait till you can give your mouth a regular and efficient washing up-stairs. Dip your fingers into the glass, rub them with the slice of lemon that may be floating on the surface, and then wipe them on the napkin. At hotels the interval between dinner and tea is usually short; the tea hour being early that the guests may have ample time to prepare for going to places of amusement. Yet there are ladies who, though spending all the evening at home, will remain sitting idly in the parlor till eight o'clock, keeping the tab.le standing and servants waiting in attendance. This is very inconsiderate. The servants certainly require rest, and should be exempt from all unnecessary attendance. On the subject of rest for hotel servants good feeling suggests that we should say a few words. No one who has had [illustration: ETIQUETTE. 39] tnuch experience of hotel life can have failed to notice the wearied look which the domestics in these large establishments too often wear. To the visitor fresh from seeing every day the blythe faces of country folk, their jaded look invariably suggests that they would be all the better for going off to bed and sleeping for a week. We should do everything in our power to lessen their labors by refraining from making unreasonable demands on their time. Consideration for others is the first mark of the lady, and the fact that a woman observes all the mere forms of etiquette will never convince us that she is one of the true nobility so long as we can see that she has no consideration for the rest of those to whom fortune has granted but little repose. In making acquaintance with a stranger at a hotel, there is no impropriety (but quite the contrary) in inquiring of her from what place she comes. In introducing yourself give your name audibly, or, what is better, if you have a card with you, present that, and she should do the same in return. Before you enter into conversation on any subject connected with religion it will be well to ask her to what church she belongs. This knowledge will guard you from indulging inadvertently in sectarian remarks that may be displeasing to her, besides producing a controversy which may be carried too far.