"Madam, Your Manners!"

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5323, 8 February 1947, Page 3

"Madam, Your Manners!"

About one hundred years ago there was published a little hook called "True Politeness," frcm which we have extracted some examples which read quaintly to-day: — Perfumes are a necessaiy appcm dage of tlie toilet; but recollect that none must be patronised which are so obtrcsive as to give the idea that they are not indulged in 'as a luxury, bu't ustd from necessity. Do not recognise any person in the street to whom'you have been merely irtroduced for the purpose of dancing at a ball. If, however, such a person should presume to salute you, you will pass on and leave him to suppose you thought it was intended for anotlier. If asked by a gentleman to take wine, you will n'ot refuse. You need only raise the glass to the lips, if such irvitations are too frequent. Do not overload the plates of your frie.nds; it may appear hospitable, hut is very vnlgar. The fair reader neei scarcely he admonished not to use the toothpick at tahle unless rnder circamstances oi obsolute necessity. Never waltz. This dance is not only siubversive of delicacy but also of morality. No person who has used his or her eyes can deny having seen the 1 demoralising effects of this lascivious dance Yet does it still disgrace our dance floors. _ •> Finger-glasses come on with the dessert. Wet a eorner of your napkin and wipe your mouthj then immerse your fingers in the water and dry them with the napkin., . . But Qn'po acfebunt,;be guilty .of the disgustiiig pfaetice of ' gargliiig your mouth and ejecting' the water mto the glass.