Etiquette

o

ASES AND P

oided In G

and grammar. So it must be merely stated that they have and undoubtedly always will avoid them. Moreover, this choi

fashionable world invariably use certain expressions and instinctively avoid others; therefore when a stranger uses an "avoided" one he proclaims that he "does not

he other hand often passes muster. A "show-girl" may be lovely to look at as she stands in a seemingly unstudied pos

vulgar slang like that quoted above, is scarcely worse than the attempted elega

ety manner" who says "Pardon me" and talks of "retiring," and "residing," and "desiring," and "being acquainted with," and "attending" this and that with "her escort," and curls her little finger over the handle of her teacup, and prates of "culture," does not belong to Best Society, and never will! The offense of pretentiousness is committed oftener perhaps

ble the influence of much reading of the Bible. Such are seldom if ever stilted or pompous or

which are taboo in good society will be found in books of proved literary standing. But it must not be forgotten that there can b

one need merely skim through a page of a book, and if a single expression in the left-hand column following can be found (unless purp

y: Corre

rly (or arise) At our house w

urchase I sho

inted with (Se

our pardon. Or, Ex

food Go

Beautiful h

dresses well, or she

ased to meet yo

ded W

respassing I hope

on private propert

only in the third person in

permission? Will yo

assist you Le

rilliant

ume I

a banquet Gav

erse

refreshment Had

abluti

lled (proper if us

ertain I w

mansion House

some one's ho

o Telephone, phot

ion," meaning cow's tail, are more amusing than offensive, bu

offenses that can be committ

for the flattering ovati

de, "I am the recipient of many

t me to recall

servitors," "dispensing hospitality

who seeks purity of speech should, if possible

lculate, or figur

meaning

meaning

ing pretty

clare! 'Po

g sitting in a bo

th, meaning

is culture! A word rarely used by those who truly possess it, but so constantly misused by those who understand nothing of its meaning, that it is becoming a synonym for vulgarity and imitation. To speak of the proper use of a finger bowl or the ability to introduce two people without a

mark, but "flivver," "taxi," the "movies," "deadly" (meaning dull), "feeling fit," "feeling blue," "grafter," a "fa

diction, but they are very little foxes; it is the false elegance of stupid

hardly find a better guide th

shions, the same

tic, if too

st by whom the

ast to lay th

unci

hat have their origin in illiteracy. A gentleman of Irish blood may have a brogue as rich as plum cake, or another's accent be soft Southern or flat New England, or ro

and twitter. But the beautifully modulated, clear-clipped enunciation of a cultivated Englishman, one who can move his jaws and not

e so curiously flattened that the speech has a saltless effect. There is no rhyming word as fl

h seems full of it, with "I" turned to "ah" and every staccato a drawl. Bu

have mothered all the r's in the wor-r-rld! Philadelphia's "haow" and "caow" for "how

and "puddin'." Probably five per cent. of it does, but as a w

eir inflection is right or wrong? Nothing should be simpler to determine. If they pronounce according to a standard dictionary, they are correct; if they don't, they have an "accent" or are ignorant; it is for them to determine which. Such diff

vate An Agre

hispered or murmured, but low in pitch. Do not talk at the top of your head, nor at the top of your lungs. Do not slur who

and many others of us race tongues and breath at full speed, but, as already said, the speed of our speech does not matter so mu

y distinctly and clearly. Pronunciation is the proper soundin

and reading it word by word, marking and studying any that you use frequently and mispronounce. When you know them, then read any book at random slowly aloud to yourself, very car

lic life, and by many women, who likewise handicapped by circumstances, have not only made possible a creditable position for themse