The American Gentleman's Guide to Politeness and Fashion or, Familiar Letters to his Nephews

Always indicative of character, habit may yet, to a certain extent, do us the greatest injustice, through mere inadvertency. Indeed, few young persons attach much importance to...

Having attempted, in my last two letters, with what success you will best judge, to give you some practical hints respecting manner at home and in the street, suppose we take up...

There is, perhaps, no form of composition with which it is as desirable to be practically familiar, and in which all educated persons should be accomplished, as that of _letter-...

Though accomplishments are a very poor substitute for the more substantial portions of a thorough education, no one should be so indifferent to the embellishments of life as who...

I think it was Burke who said that those who desire to improve, should always choose, as companions, persons of more knowledge and virtue than themselves. He had, however, the h...

Since no man can fulfill his destiny as an actively-useful member of society without _Health_, perhaps a few practical suggestions on this important subject may not be inconsist...

If I rightly remember, I concluded my last letter to my young correspondents with a promise of attempting in my next, some _practical directions_ in regard to Manner. I will, th...

Even in hours most exclusively devoted to business, do not allow yourself to hurry along with a clouded, absent face and bent head, as if you forever felt the foot of the earth-...

In accordance with the promise with which I concluded my last letter, I will give you, in this, narrated in my homely way, some anecdotes, illustrative of the opinions I have ex...

Having touched, in our preceding letters, upon matters relating to Physical Training, Manner, and the lighter accomplishments that embellish existence, we come now to the _inner...

As indicative of character, which it undoubtedly is, to a certain extent, it is well worthy the attention of all youthful aspirants to the honors of the world. And though, like...

As you are already, to some extent, acquainted with the design and scope of the Letters I propose to address to you, there is no necessity for an elaborate prelude at the commen...

HABIT always Indicative of Character--Its Importance not properly estimated by the Young--Rudeness and Republicanism too often Synonymous--Fashion not always Good-breeding-- Soc...

Aversion to Ceremonious Morning Visits--Proper Hours--Suitable Brevity--Character of Conversation--Card of Announcement-- Visits made at Hotels--Precautionary Rules--Mode of ent...

The True Basis of Health--Temperance an inclusive Term --Foundation of the Eminence of J. Q. Adams--His Life a Model for the Young--His early Habits--Vigorous Old Age-- Example...

Importance of this Branch of Education--Its Frequent Neglect --Usual Faults of the Epistolary Style--Applicability of the rule of the Lightning-Tamer--Variety of Styles appropri...

Comparative Importance of Accomplishments--Difference between Europeans and Americans in this regard--Self-Education the most Useful--Peculiar Incentives to Self-Culture possess...

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS.--Senator Sumner's appropriate Sentence--Primary importance of Manner at Home--A reiterated Charge--Manner to Parents--Unvarying confidence and reverence du...

RULE to be observed in the Selection of Associates--Advantage of the Companionship of Persons of more Experience than Ourselves--False Sentiments entertained by Lord Byron regar...

MANNER IN THE STREET--Upon Meeting a Friend or Acquaintance-- Proper Mode of Salutation--"Drawing" Gloves--Stopping to Talk--Tact and Ease--Leaving a Companion in the Street-- M...

The Author's Conscious Incapacity--Education within the Power of All--Americans not Socially Trammelled--The Two Attributes of Mind essential to Self-Culture--Prospective Discer...

THE HERO OF THE BALL-ROOM.--The Author's Liking for Mass Meetings--A Fête--Louis Philippe and the Militia Officer--A real Soldier conquered by the Fair!--The "Observed of all Ob...

PROPRIETY of conforming to Fashion, with a due Regard for individual Peculiarities of Appearance--Eccentricity of Taste in Dress--Obedience to the Laws of Convention--The vagari...

APHORISM of a Celebrated Observer of Human Nature--Manner indicative of Character--Benefits of Care and Attention in Youth--The Fashionable Manner of the Day--Danger of Affectat...