LETTER X.

HABIT.

HABIT always Indicative of Character--Its Importance not properly estimated by the Young--Rudeness and Republicanism too often Synonymous--Fashion not always Good-breeding-- Social American Peculiarities--Manners of Americans abroad --Rowdyism at the Tuileries--The Propriety of Learning from Older Nations the lighter Elegancies of Life--Madame Soulé and the Queen of Spain--The tie of a Cravat and the Affairs of "Change"--George Peabody a Model American--The distinctive name of Gentleman--Great Importance of Suitable Associates-- Spanish Proverb--The true Social Standard--Safeguard against Eccentricity--Habits of Walking, Standing, Sitting-- Directions--Aaron Burr and De Witt Clinton--Bachelor Privileges--Decorum in the presence of Ladies--Carrying the Hat, ease of Attitude, etc.--Benefits of habitual Self-Restraint--Habits at Table--Eating with a Knife--Soiling the Lips, Picking the Teeth, etc., etc.--Nicety In Matters of Detail--Courtesy due to others--Manner to Servants in Attendance at Table--Avoidance of Sensuousness of Manner-- French Mode of Serving Dinners--The Art of Carving--Helping Ladies at Table--Rule in Carving Joints of Meat--Changing the Plate--Proper Mode of Taking Fish--Game--Butter at Dinner-- English Custom--Details of Habit at Table--Rights of Freemen-- A Just Distinction--Unhealthfulness of drinking too much at Dinner--Fast Eating of Fast Americans--Sitting upon two Legs of a Chair--Anecdote--Habits of using the Handkerchief--Toying with the Moustache, etc., etc.--Ladies careful Observers of Minutiæ--Belief of the Ancient Gauls respecting Women--Habits of Swaggering in Public Places--General Suggestions--Ladies and Invalids in Terror of a Human War-Horse--Courtesy due while playing Chess and other Games--Self-control in Sickness --Premature adoption of Eye-Glasses--Affectation in this respect--Proper Attitude while Reading or Studying--Habits of Early Rising--A Poetic Superstition unwarranted by Health and Truth--Variance between Health and Fashion in regard to Early Hours--Aphorism by Gibbon--Habit of taking Nostrums-- Avoidance of Quacks--Habit of acting as the Protectors of the Dependent Sex--Effect of Trifling Habits upon the Opinions formed of us by Women--Habits of handling Prints, Bijouterie, and Boquets, of Smoking, Whispering and Ogling, to be shunned--Importance of Methodical Habits of Reading and Studying--Value of the Gold Dust of Time--Anecdote-- True Rule for Reading to Advantage--Habit of Reading aloud --Great Importance of a Habit of Industry--The Superiors of mere Genius--Habits of Cheerfulness and Contentment not to be overlooked by the Young--Cultivation of Habitual Self-Respect--Pride and Poverty not Necessarily Antagonistic --Self-Respect a Shield against the Shafts of Calumny--True Honor not affected by Occupation or Position--Benefits of a Habit of Self-Examination--The habitual Study of the Scriptures recommended--CHRIST, the Great Model of Humanity --Ungentlemanly Habit of being late at Church, etc.-- Pernicious Effects of prevalent Materialism--Personal Enjoyment resulting from habitually idealizing all Mental Associations with Women--Defencelessness an Impassable Barrier to Oppression from true Manhood--Impropriety of speaking loudly to Ladies in public Places, of attracting Attention to them, their Names and Prerogatives--Safe Rule in this regard--The Habit of Sympathy with Human Suffering a Christian duty--Mistaken Opinion of Young Men in this respect--The Examples presented by the Lives of the Greatly Good--Mighty Achievements in the Cause of Humanity in the Power of a Few--Habits of Good-Humor, Neatness, Order and Regularity due to others--Fastidious Nicety in Matters of the Toilet, demanded by proper respect for our daily Associates --The Importance of Habits of Exercise, Temperance and Relaxation--Economy to be Cultivated as a Habit--Economy not Degrading--Habit of Punctuality--Slavery to mere System condemned--Remark of Sir Joshua Reynolds--Habit of Perseverance--Value of the Habit of putting Ideas into Words--Of Habits of Reflection and Observation--Of rendering Respect to Age, etc.--Culture of Esthetical Perceptions-- American Peculiarity--Curiosity not tolerated among the well-bred--The inestimable value of Self-Possession--Its Natural Manifestations--Concluding Advice, 329

ILLUSTRATIONS.

JONATHAN AND QUEEN VICTORIA.--A Stroll through the World's Palace--A Royal Party--The Yankee Enthroned--A Confession, 362

DAMON AND PYTHIAS MODERNIZED.--A Family Council--A Celebrity and a Hotel Dinner--A Discovery--A Sketch--Telegraphing and Triumph--Beer and a Break-down--Drawing-room Chit-chat--A Young Lady's Eulogy--Retort Courteous--A New Acquaintance-- An Explanation--Dinner the Second--Sense and Sensibility--A Ruse--A Request and Appointment--A Contrast--Catastrophy--A Note and a Disappointment--Fair Frankness--An Unexpected Rencontre--The Re-union--Pictures and Pleasantries--The Protector of the Helpless, 363

A VISIT TO ABBOTSFORD.--Sir Walter Scott as Colonel of Dragoons, Sheriff of the County, Host, Friend, and Author --Mrs. Hemans and Little "Charley"--Courteous Hospitality --At Driburg with Mr. Lockhart--Solution of a Mystery-- Sir Walter's favorite "Lieutenant," 382

Confession of a Celebrated Orator, 385

THE LEMON AND THE CARNATION.--A Stage-Coach Adventure--A fair Passenger--Churlishness and Cheerfulness--A Comic Duet--Stage-Sickness--An impromptu Physician--Offerings --Acknowledgments--A Docile Patient--Welcome Home--Arrival --A Family Group--A Discovery--Recognition--An Invitation --Hospitality--Sunday Evening at the Rectory--The Honorable Occupation of Teaching Young Ladies--A Prophesy--Family Jars --A Compliment, 386

A Notability and his Newfoundland Dog, 400

EXTREMES MEET.--European Travelling-Companion--A cool Place and a "cool" Character--A Foreigner's Criticism-- Fair Commentators--Dinner-table Sketch--Three Parties in a Rail-Car--Sunshine and Showers--An Earth-Angel--Anecdote of Thorwalsden, the Danish Sculptor--A Scene--Gentlemanly Inquiries--Paddy's Explanation, 401

HAVE YOU BEEN IMPATIENT?--A Broken Engagement--About a Horse --Charley's Orphan Cousin--Ideas of Luxury--Novel Experiences --The freed Bird--Bless God for Flowers and Friends!--A Recoil--A Tirade--The Bird Re-caged--Self-Examination-- Retrospection and Resolution--A Note and a Boquet--A Blush Transfixed, 412