IO ACQUIRE the art of conversation in a superior degree, there must be intimacy with those who possess refinement and general information. There must also be observed certain general rules in order to accomplish the best results, prominent among- which are the following" In the first place, in order to converse well, there must be knowledge; there must be a command of language, assisted by imagination; there must be understanding of the rules of construction, to frame sentences aright; there must be confidence and self-possession, and there must be courage to overcome failure.

To be an excellent conversationalist is a very desirable accomplishment. We talk more than we do anything else. By conversation we may make friends, we may retain them, or we may lose them. We may impart information; we may acquire it. We may make the company with whom we associate contented with itself, or we can sow inharmony and discord. Our success in life largely rests upon our ability to converse well; therefore the necessity of our carefully studying what should mnd what should not be said when talking.

How to Please in Conversation.

Use clear, distinct words to express your ideas, although your voice should be low.

Be cool, collected and self-possessed, using respectful, chaste and appropriate language.

Always defend the absent person who is being spoken of, as far as truth and justice will permit.

Allow people that you are with to do their full share of the talking if they evince a willingness to converse.

Beware of talking much about yourself. Your merits will be discovered in due time, without the necessity of sounding your own praises.

Show the courtesy, when another person joins the group where you are relating an incident, of recapitulating what has been said, for the advantage of the newcomer.

Recollect that the object of conversation is to entertain and amuse; the social gathering, therefore, should not be made the arena of dispute. Even slight mistakes and inaccuracies it is well to overlook, rather than to allow inharmony to present itself.

Aim to adapt your conversation to the comprehension o( those with whom you are conversing. Be careful that you do not undervalue them. It is possible that they arc as intelligent as yourself, and their conversation can, perhaps, take as wide a range as your own.

Remember that the person to whom you are speaking is not to blame for the opinion he entertains. Opinions are not made by us, but they are made for us by circumstances. With the same organization, training and circumstances around us, we would have the same opinions ourselves.

Remember that people are fond of talking of their own affairs. The mother likes to talk of her children, the mechanic of his workmanship, the laborer of what he can accomplish. Give even-one an opportunity, and you will gain much valuable information besides being thought courteous and well-bred.

Be patient The foreigner cannot, perhaps, recall the word he desires; the speaker may be slow of speech; you may have heard the story a dozen times; but even then you must evince interest and listen patiently through. By so doing, you gain the esteem of the person with whom you are conversing.

What to Avoid in Social Conversation.

Do not manifest impatience. Do not engage in argument Do not interrupt another when speaking. Do not find fault, though you may gently criticise. Do not talk of your private, personal and family matters. Do not appear to notice inaccuracies of speech in others. Do not allow yourself to lose temper or to speak excitedly. Do not allude to unfortunate peculiarities of anyone present Do not always commence a conversation by allusion to the weather. Do not, when narrating an incident, continually say, "you set," "you know," etc.

Do not introduce professional or other topics that the company generally cannot take an interest in.

Do not talk very loud. A firm, clear, distinct, yet mild, gentle and musical voice has great power.

Do not be absent-minded, requiring the speaker to repeat what has been said that you may understand.

Do not speak disrespectfully of personal appearance when anyone present may have the same defects.

Do not try to force yourself into the confidence of others. If they give their confidence, never betray it

Do not use profanity, vulgar terms, slang phrases, words of double meaning, or language that will bring the blush to anyone.

Do not intersperse your language with foreign words ;'nd high sounding terms. It shows affectation, and will draw ridicule upon you.

Do not carry on a conversation with another in company about matters which the general company knows nothing of. It is almost as impolite as to whisper.

Do not allow yourself to speak ill of the absent one if it can be avoided; the Jay may come when some friend will be needed to defend you in your absence.

Do not speak with contempt and ridicule of a locality where you may be visiting. Find something to truthfully praise and commend; thus make yourself agreeable.

Do not make a pretense of gentility, nor parade the fact that you are a descendant of any notable family. You must pass for just what you are, and must stand on your own merit

Do not contradict In m.:king a correction say, "I beg your pardon, but I had an impression that it was so and so." Be careful in contra dieting, as you may be wrong yourself.

Do not be-unduly familiar; you will merit contempt if you are. Neither should you be dogmatic in your assertions, arrogating to yourself much consequence in your opinions.

Do not be too lavish in your praise of various members of your own family when speaking to strangers; the person to whom vou are speaking may know some faults that you do not

Do not feel it Incumbent upon yourself to carry your point in conversation. Should the person with whom vou are conversing feel the same, your talk will lead into violent argument

NEW YEARS.

151

Do not allow yourself to use personal abuse when speaking to another, as in so doing; you may make that person a life-long enemy. A few kind, courteous words might have made him a lifelong friend.

Do not discuss politics or religion in general company. You probably would not convert your opponent, and he will not convert you. To discuss those topics is to arouse feeling without any good result.

Do not make a parade of being acquainted with distinguished or wealthy people, of having been to college, or of having visited foreign lands. All this is no evidence of any real genuine worth on your part.

Do not use the surname alone when speaking of your husband or wife to others. To say to another, that "I told Jones,' referring to your husband, sounds badly. Whereas, to' say, "I told Mr. Jones," shows respect and good breeding.

Do not yield to bashfulness. Do not isolate yourself, sitting back in a corner, waiting for some one to come and talk with you. Step out; have something to say. Though you may not say it very well, keep on. You will gain courage and will improve. It is as much your duty to entertain others as theirs to amuse you.

Do not attempt to pry into the private affairs of others by asking what their profits are, what things cost, whether Melissa ever had a beau, and why Amarelte never got married. All such questions are extremely impertinent, and are likely to meet with rebuke.

Do not whisper in company; do not engage in private conversation; do not speak a foreign language which the general company present

may not understand, unless it is understood that the foreigner is unable to speak your own language.

Do not take it upon yourself to admonish comparative strangers on religious topics; the persons to whom you speak may have decided convictions of their own in opposition to yours, and your over-zeal may seem to them an impertinence.

Do not aspire to be a great story-teller; an inveterate teller of long stories becomes very tiresome. To tell ore or two witty, short, new stories, appropriate to the occasion, is about all that one person should inflict on the company.

Do not indulge in satire; no doubt you are witty* and you could say a most cutting thing that would bring the laugh of the company upon your opponent, but you must not allow it, unless to rebuke an impertinent fellow who can be suppressed in no other way.

Do not spend your time in talking scandal; you sink your own moral nature by so doing, and you are, perhaps, doing great injustice to those about whom you talk. You probably do not understand all the circumstances. Were they understood, you would doubtless be much more lenient.

Do not flatter; in doing so you embarrass those upon whom you bestow praise, as they may not wish to offend you by repelling it, and yet they realize that if they accept it they merit your contempt. You may, however, commend their work whenever it can truthfully be done; but do not bestow praise where it is not deserved.

OP LATE years it has become fashionable, for ladies in many cities and villages, to announce in the newspapers the fact of their intention to receive calls upon New Year's day, which practice is very excellent, as it enables gentlemen to know positively who will be prepared to receive them on that occasion; besides, changes of resi dence are so frequent in the large cities as to make the publication of names and places of calling a great convenience.

The practice of issuing personal notes of invitation, which is sometimes done, to a list of gentleman acquaintances, stating that certain ladies will receive on New Year's day, is not to be commended. It looks very much like begging the gentlemen to come and see them; besides, should this practice generally prevail, it would, in a brief time, abolish New Year's calls altogether, as gentlemen would not feel at liberty to make calls unless personally invited; and thus the custom would soon go into disuse.

Upon calling, the gentlemen are invited to remove overcoat and hat, which invitation is accepted unless it is the design to make the call very brief. If refreshments are provided, the ladies will desire to have the gentlemen partake of them, which cannot conveniently be done in overcoat, with hat in hand. Gloves arc sometimes retained upon the hand during the call, but this is optional. Cards are sent up, and the gentlemen are ushered into the reception-room. The call should not exceed ten

or fifteen minutes, unless the callers are few and it should be mutually agreeable to prolong the stay.

Best taste will suggest that a lady having the conveniences shall receive her guests at her own home, but it is admissible and common for several ladies to meet at the residence of one, and receive calls together. Whether ladies make announcement or not, however, it will be usually safe for gentlemen to call on their lady friends on New Year's, as the visit will be generally received with pleasure.

It is customary for the ladies who announce that they will receive, to make their parlors attractive on that day, and present themselves in full dress. They should have a bright, cheerful fire if the weather be cold,

and a table, conveniently located in the room, with refreshments, consisting of fruits, cakes, bread and other food, such as may be deemed desirable, with tea and coffee. No intoxicating drinks should be allowed. Refreshments are in no case absolutely essential. They can be dispensed with if not convenient

Ladies expecting calls on New Year's should be in readiness to receive from 10 A. M. to 9 p. M. It is pleasant for two or more ladies to receive calls together on that occasion, as several ladies can the more easily entertain a party of several gentlemen who may be present at one time. While gentlemen may go alone, they also frequently go in pairs, threes, fours (Fig 3) or more. They call upon.all the ladies of the party, and where any are not acquainted, introductions take place, care being taken that persons do not intrude themselves where they would not be welcome. Each gentleman should be provided with a large number of cards, with his own name upon each, one of which he will present to every lady of the company where he calls.

The ladies keep these cards for future reference, it being often pleasant to revive the incidents of the day by subsequent examination of the cards received upon that occasion.

An usher should be present wherever many calls are expected, to receive guests, and care for hats and coats. The calls are necessarily very brief, and are made delightfully pleasant by continual change of face and conversation. But, however genial and free may be the interchange of compliments upon this occasion, no young man who is a stranger to the family should feel at liberty to call again without a subsequent invitation. The two or three days succeeding New Year's are the ladies' days for calling, upon which occasion they pass the compliments of the season, comment upon the incidents connected with the festivities of the holiday, the number of calls made, and the new faces that made their appearance among the visitors. It is customary upon this occasion of ladies' meeting, to offer refreshments and to enjoy the intimacy of a friendly visit. This fashion of observing New Year's day is often the means of commencing pleasant friendships which may continue through life.

OU purpose giving a larger entertainment than the dinner party — one to which you will invite a greater number of your friends and associates—so great a number, indeed, of young and middle-aged people, that the serious question is, how they shall be entertained; you conclude that you will allow them to dance, and you will name your entertainment a ball.

In this connection we will express no opinion concerning the propriety or the impropriety of dancing. In the simple act of passing through the figures of the dance, there need be no wrong committed; but, as the ball is often conducted, very serious and unfortunate results follow.

Evils of the Ball.

For the company to assemble at a late hour and engage in unusual, exciting and severe exercise throughout the entire night, is often too great a tax upon the physical system. To dress too thinly, and in a state of perspiration to be exposed, as ladies at the ball frequently are, to draughts of cold, is oftentimes to plant the seeds of a disease from which they never recover. Again, to come in contact, as ladies are liable to, more especially at the public hall, with disreputable men, is sometimes to form alliances that will make a lifetime of sorrow.

Well may the watchful parent look with anxiety and suspicion upon the ball, because its associations are so frequently dangerous. If in this chapter we may give admonitions and suggestions that shall tend to correct some of the evils of the dance, our labors will not be in vain.

The dancing-master should be in the highest sense of the term a gentleman; he should be thoroughly schooled in the laws of etiquette; he should be a man of good moral character; he should be a physiologist; he should be a reformer. Such aman at the head of a dancing-sthool would be of infinite assistance to the young men and women coming upon the stage of action. In his class he would teach his pupils the laws of good behavior; he would warn them concerning the evils of bad association; he would instruct them in the importance of regularity of habit and of keeping proper hours: with which instruction he would reform many abuses that now exist at public entertainments.

Fortunately we have some instructors who appreciate the importance of their work, and are thus instrumental in doing a great amount of good to those who are so favored as to attend their classes.

How to Conduct the Ball.

The management of the ball will largely depend upon whether it is a public or private entertainment. If public, it will be under the control of managers who will send out tickets tn those likely to attend, often several weeks before the ball is given. These tickets are sent only to gentlemen who invite such ladies to attend the ball with them as they may choose.

In tendering the invitation, the gentleman frequently visits the lady personally. If he sends a written note of invitation, the form may be as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. /o. Miss Hammond:

May I have the pleasure of your company to the ball at the

Grand Central Hotel, in New 2'ork, on the evening of October 2jth, at

eight o'clock f Very Respectfully,

W. If. SIMPSON.

The following may be the reply:

Thursday, Oct. tt.

Mr. W. H. Simpson:

I shall be happy to accompany you to the ball at the Grand Central, on the evening of October 2jth,

CARRIE D. HAMMOND.

Or, if the invitation is declined, the note may have this form ■

., „. „ „. ^ Thursday, Oct. it.

Mr, W. H. Simpson:

I regret that absence from the city, (or assign such

other cause as may occasion the refusal) -will deprive me of the pleasure

of accompanying you to the ballot the Grand Central, on the evening oj

October 2jth.

CARRIE D. HAMMOND.

If the ball ts to be given at a private residence, the notes of invitation should be sent by messenger or post, to each guest, two or three weeks before the dance, and will read as follows:

Mrs Conkiin's compliments to Miss Henry, requesting the pleasure of her company at a ball on Thursday evening, April tsth, at eight o'clock.

This should invariably be answered within a day or two, and, if accepted, the reply may read in the following form:

Mtss Henry's compliments to Mrs. Cbnhlin, accepting with pleasure her kind invitation for Thursday evening, April /2th.

If declined, the answer may be —

Miss Henry's compliments to Mrs. Conklin, regretting that the recent death of a relative (or assign such other cause as mav occasion the refusal) will prevent her acceptance of the kind invitation for the evening of April /2th.

Invitations to all the Family.

In sending invitations to a family where there arc parents, sons and daughters, all of whom you desire to invite, enclose an invitation full and complete to the heads of the family, one to the daughters, and one to the sons. Should there be a visitor staying with the family, a distinct card must be sent, but all can be enclosed in one envelope, and addressed to the lady of the house. The invitations to each may read as follows:

(To the Parents.*) Mrs, HobarVs compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, requesting the pleasure of their company at a ball on the evening of Sept. Sth, at 8o'clock.

R. S. V. P.*

(To the Daughters.)

Mrs. HobarVs compliments to Misses Ruth and Mary Hanson, requesting the pleasure of their attendance at a ball, Sept. Sth, at S o'clock. R. S. V.P.i

(To the Sons.)

Mrs. Hobarts regards to Messrs, Robert D„ Henry H and Chas. C. Hanson, solicithg their company at a ball on the evening of Sept. Sth, at S o'clock.

R. S. V. P.

• R. S. V. P. From the French, " Rcpoodtt i'U rout plait." Aniwer If 70a plea**, t R. S. V. P. may beconnldemi uDnfccsaarr. as a reply ihoald alwara be made.

153

(To the Visitor.)

Mrs. Hobarfs respects to Miss Williamson, des:r':rj t'if pleasure of her company at a ball on the evening of Sept. St//, at 8 o'clock. U.S. V.P.

The acceptance or regrets from each party invited should be unclosed in one envelope, and directed to the hostess, being sent by a messenger within from one to three days from the time the invitations are received.

The hostess having- considered how many sets may be accommodated in the dancing-room, it may be well to invite twice that number to the entertainment, thus allowing' for those who will decline and for those who will desire to rest while the others are engaged in the dance.

The requisites of a room suitable for dancing purposes are a smooth floor and good ventilation; added to these, an elaborate trimming of the room with various decorations will be appropriate. Floral embellishment gives much attraction, and if an abundance of flowers, shrubbery and evergreens are about the music-stand, concealing the musicians from view, the effect will be all the more charming.

The dressing-room should be provided with servants to receive the wraps, to each of which a card should be attached bearing the name of the owner, or checks may be provided and the same system pursued as is ordinarily observed in checking baggage.

A dressing-table in the ladies' room should be supplied with soap, water, towels, brushes, combs, pomade, face-powder, cologne, needles, thread, pins, etc.; while water,soap, towels, brush-broom, comh, hairbrush, bootjack, and blacking-brush with a box of blacking, should be in the gentlemen's dressing apartment.

Unlike the dinner-party, it is not absolutely necessary that each guest come promptly at a certain time; still, for the sake of regularity of sleep, it is well for each to go early and retire early, though it will be allowable to go somewhat later than the hour appointed.

The host and hostess should be near the door to welcome arrivals, occupying any unused time in making the guests acquainted with each other by introductions. Other members of the family will also intermingle with the company, making introductions and seeing that all are provided with partners for dancing.

It is expected that those who accept an invitation to a ball arc able to dance; otherwise it is better to decline, as the wall-flower serves but to embarrass the hostess and other members of the company.

A gentleman, having arranged to accompany a lady to a ball, may very appropriately send her a bouquet of flowers in the afternoon, and in the evening he should call promptly with his carriage at the appointed hour. Upon reaching the house where the entertainment is given, he will conduct the lady immediately to the ladies' dressing-room; when, retiring to the gentlemen's apartment and putting his own toilet in order, he will return to the door of the ladies' room, meet his charge, and conduct her to the ball-room and the hostess.

Etjquetle requires that the lady dance first with her escort, and afterwards he should see that she is provided with partners, and that she enjoys herself, though she may dance with whom she pleases. He should conduct her to supper, and will hold himself in readiness to escort her home whenever she desires to go.

In inviting a lady to dance, various forms of invitation may be used to avoid repetition, as, " Will you honor me with your hand for the quadrille?" "May I have the honor ol dancing this set with you?" "May I have the pleasure?" "Will you give me the pleasure?" etc.

A gentleman who may be at the party unattended, will invite one of the ladies of the house for the first dance, but she, possibly being otherwise occupied or engaged, will quite likely introduce him to another lady, whom he must accept.

The music will first play a march, then a quadrille, a waltz, a polkn, a galop, etc., interspersed with several round dances to each quadrille, usually ending with a march, prior to supper, when the gentleman, presenting his arm to the lady he is dancing with at the time, unless she has come with another gentleman, will proceed to the table, where possibly a little more freedom will prevail than at the dinner-party, though essertially the same etiquette will govern it.

If any lady is without an attendant, it should be the duty of the lady of the house to see that she is provided with an escort. After supper,

several dances will follow, the company dispersing, let us hope, at an early, temperate hour.

Each dancer should be provided with a ball-card bearing a printed programme of the dances, having a space for making engagements upon the same, with a small pencil attached. Much care should be taken to keep each engagement. It is a great breach of etiquette to invite a lady to dance, and then fail to remind her of her promise when the time comes for its fulfillment.

It is customary for the lady and gentleman, who accompany each other to the ball, to dance together once or twice only; to dance as partners oftener is likely to excite remark, though, if the parties be indifferent to comment, no harm will be done. To dance together continually is impolite, and will deservedly provoke severe criticism.

While upon the floor, awaiting the music, a lady and gentleman should avoid long conversations, as they are likely to interfere with the dance; but a pleasant word or two in light conversation will be appropriate if the parties are acquainted; if not, they may quietly wait. The bow should be given at the commencement and close of each dance.

General Suggestions to those who Attend Balls.

When all the ladies are provided for at the table, then the gentlemen may think of their own supper.

Ladies will consult their own pleasure about recognizing a ball-room acquaintance at a future meeting.

Gently glide in the dance, wearing a pleasant expression. "Bow the head slightly as you touch hands lightly."

Should you make a mistake in taking a position, apologize to the party incommoded, and take another place in the set.

Any difficulty or misunderstanding at a public ball should be referred to the master of ceremonies, whose decision should be deemed final.

In tendering an invitation to the lady to dance, allow her to designate what set it shall be, and you are expected to strictly fulfill the engagement.

A gentleman who goes to a ball should dance frequently; if he does not, he will not receive many invitations afterwards; he is not invited to ornament the wall and "wait for supper."

After dancing, a gentleman should conduct the lady to a seat, unless she otherwise desires; he should thank her for the pleasure she has conferred, but he should not tarry too long in intimate conversation with her.

A gentleman having taken a lady's seat during a dance, must rise as soon as it is over, and invite her to come and take it again, ft is not necessary to bow more than once, though you frequently meet acquaintances upon the promenade ; to bow every time would be tiresome.

What Conduct to Avoid at the Ball.

A ball-room engagement should not be broken.

A lady should not enter or cross the hall unattended.

No gentleman should enter the ladies' dressing-room at a ball.

No evidence of ill-nature should ever show itself at the ball.

Never lead a lady in the hall by the hand; always offer the arm.

Guests should remain at the supper-table no longer than is necessary.

A couple should not engage in a long, private, confidential talk in a ball-room.

While one dance is in progress, it is not in good taste to be arranging for another.

Do not engage yourself for the last two or three dances; it may keep you too late.

Neither married nor unmarried ladies should leave a ball-room assemblage unattended.

A gentleman should not wait until the music has commenced, before selecting his partner.

Do not aim to put in all the steps in the quadrille. The figures are now executed in a graceful walk.

A gentleman should not insist upon a lady continuing to dance, when she has expressed a desire to sit down. *

154

Excepting the first set, it is not etiquette for married people to dunce together .it either a public or private ball.

Do not contend for a position in the quadrille at either head or sides. It indicates frivolity. You should be above it.

A gentleman should not take a vacant scat beside a lady, without asking permission, whether he is acquainted or not.

The lady should never accept of an invitation to dance with one gentleman immediately after having refused another.

No lady at a hall should be without an escort at the supper -table. The hostess should see that she is provided with one.

A gentleman should never presume upon the acquaintance of a lady after a ball; ball-room introductions close with the dancing.

Ladies should not boast to others, who dance but little, of the great number of dances for which they are engaged in advance.

No gentleman should use his bare hand to press the waist of a lady in the waltz. If without gloves, carry a handkerchief in the hand.

A lady should not select a gentleman to hold her bouquet, fan and gloves during the dance, unless he be her husband, escort or a relative.

Gentlemen should never forget that ladies are first to be cared for, to have the best seats, and to always receive the most courteous attention.

A gentleman in waltzing should not encircle the waist of a lady until the dancing commences, and he should drop his arm when the music ceases.

No gentleman whose clothing or breath is tainted with the fumes of strong drink or tobacco, should ever enter the presence of ladies in the dancing-room.

When the company has been divided into two different sets, you should not attempt to change from one to the other, except by permission of the master of ceremonies.

A lady should not refuse to be introduced to a gentleman at a private ball. At a public ball she will use her discretion, and she can with propriety refuse any introduction.

Never eat your supper in gloves. White kids should be worn at other times throughout the dancing. It is well to have two pairs, one before supper, the other afterwards.

Ladies should not be allowed to sit the evening through without the privilege of dancing. Gentlemen should be sufficiently watchful to sec that all ladies present are provided with partners.

Do not, unless for very urgent reasons, withdraw from a quadrille or a set where your assistance is required. Even then you should infoim the master of ceremonies, that he may find a substitute.

A gentleman should not invite a lady to be his partner in a dance with which he is not perfectly familiar. It is tiresome and embarrassing to a lady to have a partner who appears awkward.

No gentleman should play the clown in the ball-room. Dancing a break-down, making unusual noise, dressing in a peculiar style, swaggering, swinging the arms about, etc., are simply the characteristics of the buffoon.

The lady is not obliged to invite her escort to enter the house when he accompanies her home, and if invited he should decline the invitation. But he should request permission to call the next day or evening, which will be true politeness.

No display should be made when leaving the ball. Go quietly. It is not necessary to bid the host and hostess good-bye. To do so may cause others to think it later than it is, and thus the ball may be broken up sooner than the hostess might desire.

A lady may not engage herself to two gentlemen for the same dance, excepting the waltz, the first of which may be danced with one and the last with another, she explaining the matter to her first partner, that he may not be offended when she leaves him for the other.

The members of the family where the ball is given should not dance too frequently. It is possible that others may desire to fill their places, and they should have the opportunity. It is the duty of the family to entertain the guests, and not usurp their opportunities.

A gentleman should not he offended if a lady that has declined an invitation from him is seen dancing with another. Possibly she did not despise the one, but she preferred the other, or she may have simply redeemed a forgotten promise. Special evidences of partiality she uId, however, as much as possible be avoided at places where all should be courteous to each other.

The topics of conversation have become exhausted at the party; you have no musicians in the company, possibly, or if you have music, it no longer entertains. Under the circumstances, vou bethink yourself of some light, pleasant indoor game that nearly all can play, and very likely you may select cards, about which the following suggestions may be appropriate:

Should you engage in the game, do so simply for recreation and sociability. Never bet on cards. Like all bets, it leads to demoralization. If you cannot play without gambling and spending too much time, then dismiss the game from your mind. In the simple matter of playing cards there is no harm, but in the abuse of the game there is very much injury.

It is the province of the hostess, not of the guests, to Introduce the game. New, bright, clean cards should be kept in readiness for occasions like the evening party.

In taking a seat at the table, where there may be a choice, the elder and married ladies take precedence over the younger members of the company, only those persons being urged to join in the game who have no conscientious scruples against playing.

Rules of the Game.

Do not remove the cards from the table until all arc dealt.

Partners should give no appearance of an understanding between themselves by signals of any kind.

Never play with an air of Indifference. If tired, you will ask to be excused, and retire; but evince interest while you play.

It is a violation of etiquette to converse upon other topics while playing the game, especially if at the table there are those whe arc interested, and desire to confine their attention to the play.

It is not courtesy to hurry others when playing. It is very annming to have an opponent, or even a partner, continually saying, "Come* hurry up! " ** We are waiting!" " Any time to-day!" etc

The object of the game is to give rest. Therefore all topics liable to lead to long argument should be avoided when conversing in the pauses of the play. Small talk, that requires no mental effort, is all that should be indulged in while at the game.

If possible, never violate the rules of the game, and never be guilty of cheating. Should you observe any one doing so, quietly and very politely call their attention to the fact, and be careful that you do not get excited. People who lose patience, and experience ill-feeling at the game, should avoid playing.

It is unkind in those who may have continued success to irritate the opponent; and, whatever may lie the ill luck, it is a serious breach of etiquette to lose temper. Neither should there In- reflections made upon the playing of the partner nor criticisms upon the opponents.

It is the duty of those who play to make themselves proficient In the game, and thus not embarrass a partner when playing; and courtesy requires that those who plav much together should not play with each other in general company, as they would thus be taking unfair advantage of their opponents.