The habit of chewing gum, or any similar substance, is entirely unpardonable, it being; not only bad for the diges- tion and the teeth, but thoroughly vulgar, and to cleanly people disgusting. No one who is careful of either health or appearance will acquire it, especially as it oilers no com- pensating pleasure. These and all similar faults, both of word and of action, you must scrupulously avoid, and if you have nothing better to occupy your attention than such things as these, your first duty should be so to regulate your behavior that, at least, you may not oftend those who are more refined than yourself. You must never forget that there are many things which can properly enough be done and said when you are among people with whom you are familiar, which are out of place and unladylike in general society ; and in this respect 42 ON HABITS AND MANNERS. it is never safe to allow yourself much liberty, for offences against propriety committed in public will eventually result in your expulsion from good society, the first requirement of such society being, everywhere and always, propriety of behavior. In conversing with those with whom you are not on intimate terms, it is rude to touch any part of their dress or person with your hands, or anything which you may have in your hands, as a fan, cane or parasol ; to attract their at- tention by touching them or calling loudly, to look at them very closely, or to comment in any way upon their appear- ance. You must not point or stare at people either in the street or a room, and when it is necessary or desirable to point one person out to another, you must do it in a low voice, without any gestures, and so quietly that no one will notice it except the person to whom you are speaking. You must never make audible remarks upon the people about you, and when you unintentionally annoy or discommode another person, as by stepping on a lady's dress, taking up a book which some one has for the moment laid down, or anything of the kind, you must immediately atone for your involuntary rudeness by saying, '*I beg your pardon,'' or 4i Excuse me." When it happens that you are the offended party you must always acknowledge the apology made by the offender, using some such form of words as "Certainly;" 44 It is of no consequence." ON HABITS AND MANNERS. 43 If you have any accomplishment which you can use for the amusement of others, you should always be willing to do your best when invited, though it is not usually proper for you to volunteer your services. If you can sing or play, or read well, and are asked to use your power for the plea- sure of your friends, do not make the mistake ot hesitating and offering a half-dozen excuses, none of which are suffi- cient, but do what you are able cheerfully and readily, showing your willingness to oblige, while, however, you should be careful not to do too much, thereby tiring your listeners instead of pleasing them.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The habit of chewing gum, or any similar substance, is entirely unpardonable, it being not only bad for the digestion and the teeth, but thoroughly vulgar, and to cleanly people disgusting. No one who is careful of either health or appearance will acquire it, especially as it offers no compensating pleasure. These and all similar faults, both of word and of action, you must scrupulously avoid, and if you have nothing better to occupy your attention than such things as these, your first duty should be so to regulate your behavior that, at least, you may not oftend those who are more refined than yourself. You must never forget that there are many things which can properly enough be done and said when you are among people with whom you are familiar, which are out of place and unladylike in general society ; and in this respect it is never safe to allow yourself much liberty, for offences against propriety committed in public will eventually result in your expulsion from good society, the first requirement of such society being, everywhere and always, propriety of behavior. In conversing with those with whom you are not on intimate terms, it is rude to touch any part of their dress or person with your hands, or anything which you may have in your hands, as a fan, cane or parasol ; to attract their attention by touching them or calling loudly, to look at them very closely, or to comment in any way upon their appearance. You must not point or stare at people either in the street or a room, and when it is necessary or desirable to point one person out to another, you must do it in a low voice, without any gestures, and so quietly that no one will notice it except the person to whom you are speaking. You must never make audible remarks upon the people about you, and when you unintentionally annoy or discommode another person, as by stepping on a lady's dress, taking up a book which some one has for the moment laid down, or anything of the kind, you must immediately atone for your involuntary rudeness by saying, "I beg your pardon," or "Excuse me." When it happens that you are the offended party you must always acknowledge the apology made by the offender, using some such form of words as "Certainly;" "It is of no consequence." If you have any accomplishment which you can use for the amusement of others, you should always be willing to do your best when invited, though it is not usually proper for you to volunteer your services. If you can sing or play, or read well, and are asked to use your power for the pleasure of your friends, do not make the mistake of hesitating and offering a half-dozen excuses, none of which are sufficient, but do what you are able cheerfully and readily, showing your willingness to oblige, while, however, you should be careful not to do too much, thereby tiring your listeners instead of pleasing them.

On habits and manners