THE CANONS OF "GENTEEL" SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 3635, 16 October 1874, Page 3

THE CANONS OF "GENTEEL" SOCIETY.

1. Do no manner of useful work that you can afford to leave undone : for work is the necessity of the vulgar, and idleness the privilege of the supremely genteel. 2.' If you cannot atlord .to keep this law of idleness, enforce it with double severity on your wives, and especially your daughters, tor in their case work is not only ungenteel, it is also unfeminiue. 3 The third precept is addressed-I was gointo say to women, forgetting that in the realms of gentility there are no women only ladies.. It runs thus:—lf you would be genteel, be—or at least seem o e—-weak and helpless, requiring service from all and doingmone to any Be ornamental if you can, but beware of being useful. The next, two precepts are general, and apply to both sexes; the fourth says :—Do in all things as your neighbors do who are above you in rank and fortune ; they who depart one jot or one tittle from this law shall not enter the kingdom of gentility. . Last, and most important, is this Fret not yourselves aboiit what you are, only about what you seem. Ueanse and gild the outside of tlfo platter, this is what, futility requires ot you; you may attend to the inside on Sundays, for it is, without doubt genteel to go to church, provided always that you go as well dressed as your _ richer neighbors. ‘ Fraser’s Magazine.’. , .