s is evolved even if the senses reveal naught. Such homes, however, are but the stepping-stones to a deeper abyss of woe.A love of truth, a high sense of honor, delicacy of manner, and strict adherence to correct principles, are the chief essentials of home etiquette.Be careful to avoid the habit of sauntering into a room without attending to any thing that passes there; -- thinking, it may be, of a trifling affair that need not occupy the attention, or very likely not thinking at all.In this way some persons trespass upon the rules of politeness which enjoin that each one should do his part in society.Make it a rule wherever you are, to take an interest in all that passes, observe the characteristics of the persons you meet, and listen to and take part in the subjects of their conversation.Habitual inattention is sometimes attributed to great genius, but we cannot endorse that idea.Such a peculiarity of manner is subversive of all politeness, and tends to shut a man within himself, and make him of little importance in life. There are some young persons, however, who delight to pass for geniuses or originals, and they think it very interesting to appear as if in a "brown study" while in the company of others. They like to seem entirely absorbed, and are delighted if any one observes their eccentricities.Such manners are entirely at variance with good-breeding. If a person speak to you ever so foolishly or frivolously, it is the height of ill manners not to heed what he says; and if he ever forces conversation upon you, it is unkind, to say the least, to assume a perfectly indifferent demeanor.Besides, you cannot offer any one more flattering attention than by that pleasing deference which, though it may involve somewhat of a sacrifice, yet, is worth making.It is a good rule to endeavor to please every one as far as is possible for us to do without too great a breach of sincerity.In this country free and easy manners are too prevalent; b...
