HINTS ON ETIQUETTE.
Tux art of good breeding consists in being at ease yourself, and putting others so too: its object is to produce that state of equable pleasure in society which is defined to be the absence of pain. Not only rudene:s, therefore, but awkwardness and inadvertence, are to be avoided. Even the shafts of wit that are let fly should be so fine and polished, that, like the needles used in the operation of acupuncturation, they inflict no pain though they stick deep. Nay, the expression of enjoyment even is tempered by the serene atmosphere of good society. No rules, be they ever so minute, can teach this science of habit ; it is to be acquired by experience only. The true gentleman, however, is not an artificial creature, or confined to the world of fashion : inherent vulgarity is not to be eradicated; it will be visible through the film of affectation, as natural gentility is through the weeds of rusticity. But the con- straining check of good-breeding is not more essential to the coarse-natured and low-minded than self-possession and ease are to the sensible and sensitive; and in so far as a knowledge of the modes and usages of society, and the conventional rules by which the polite world agree to be governed in minor and ceremonial matters, can contribute to put people at their ease, the small volume which has given rise to these remarks will be found useful.
Hints on Etiquette is no catchpenny compilation, but a popular abstract of the code of ceremony; which, like the com- mon law of the land, though not written, is well understood, The circle of select society is every day widening for the admis- sion of candidates resting their claims on wealth or talent only; and among them are many to whom such a mute master of the ceremonies will be useful. Our gentleman usher has none of the footman airs of the silver-fork school of breeding; nor is he con- tent with enumerating rules—he gives the rationale of each. For instance, a person uninformed on such points will be instructed in the received laws of introduction, recognition, and precedence, &c. What is more, he will be reminded that the spirit of true gentility is unselfishness.
Previous page
