The preserves are usually removed from the table after the family have eaten, because servants are not prudent in the use of them; and the sugar and the like are under lock and key, because she thinks honesty may be counted among the lost arts. This lady's servants never stay long with her, and never speak very highly of her when they go away.

Never question servants about other families. Pay living wages. Let directions be as simple as possible and never confuse by telling the same thing over and over. Remember that they get tired, like yourself, and that a little vacation is as refreshing to them as to you.

1. Be calm and self-possessed.-Lord Byron, who prided himself upon his influence with women, said: "I find myself adoring beautiful, calm women who cannot be flirted with." Those persons who are always in a hurry, and flustered, accomplish less than any others. Only that person makes life a success who can do the most important things quickly, energetically and calmly.

2. Make even a child happy, if possible.—“Give me a ride, mister," said a poorly-dressed boy to the passers-by on Euclid avenue. Finally an old man in an old wagon stopped, and the ragged child clambered upon the seat. His face shone with delight. The old man had done a kindly act worth copying.

A lady went into our Public Library with her arms full of books. A youth held the door open for her. "You are very kind," she said. "I thank you for your help." At first he seemed half amazed to be appreciated, then his face brightened as he hastened to open the inside door.

The remembrance of a tender word will last long after you are in your grave. A little ragged boot-black fell on the icy streets of Chicago one winter's day. A cheery young lady passing, said, as she helped him up: "Did you hurt you?" His whole face beamed as, after her departure, he said to his companions: "I'd like to fall a dozen times if I could have her speak to me like that."

A harsh voice in a woman is like a discord in the sweetest music. One can easily get into complaining and dissatisfied tones. Have a sunny face; and nothing will do this save genuine kindness in the heart. Every girl ought to make it possible to have people say of her: "She brightens every life she touches." If you never do aught else in life, bring sunshine into every heart you meet.

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A colored man, who was always at Sunday-school, was asked if he was a member. He answered, "No!" "A teacher?" "No!" The superintendent?" "No! I just sits before all the people, and smiles on 'em." Would there were more such.

There is no greater human power than the tenderness of woman.

If you can minister to some one in sickness, lessen somebody's distress, or put a flower in some poor home, you have done a thing you will always be glad to think of. You will be remembered, and a woman asks no grander monument than to live in hearts.

Not far from my home years ago was the plain cottage of an Irish woman and her only son, a brave young fellow, dying of consumption contracted in the war. One day in my visits to him I carried him some lovely red roses. The next time I went, the mother said: "He never let the roses go out of his hand, miss. He held 'em when he died, and the last he ever said was: "Give my blessin' to the young lady for bringin' the flowers.' """ And the desolate mother buried them with him, as the most precious thing he possessed.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.

Rarely borrow books. Too often the memory of those who borrow is short. They forget to return them.

A friend of mine lent a year's magazines to a person who desired them. He was at last obliged to send for them, and finding them too soiled and dog-eared to be bound, bought a new set!

The story is told of a woman who came
She was sent into the pantry to get it.

Avoid borrowing money if possible. to borrow tea of her Quaker neighbor. "The box is empty," said she. "If thee had returned what thee has borrowed, it would be full," was the frank reply.

In presenting a book to a friend, do not write your name in it, unless requested. Enclose your card with it.

I was

What

To play a practical joke is never considered good breeding. Never play the piano in a public parlor, unless requested to do so. receiving a call in Washington from a lady whom I desired to honor. was my amazement to have a young person, one of the boarders, come in, seat herself, and play dancing tunes during the entire call!

Do not take it for granted that a man is in love with you, because he pays you some attention. On the other hand, do not be so blind as not to see if he

be especially interested, so as to avoid wounding him by a refusal.

Some one has said: "It is impossible to be polite without cultivating a good memory. The self-absorbed person forgets the name of his next door neighbor, recalls unlucky topics, speaks of the dead as if they were still living, and talks of persons in their hearing.'

"It is not well," says an old proverb, "to talk of the gallows to a man whose father was hanged."

Mr. A― asked a well known lawyer to go with him one very cold night, five miles into the country, to make a speech. The lawyer could not spare the time, but broke another engagement to accommodate his friend. When they arrived, Mr. A— was requested to speak first. He became so interested in his own remarks that he used the whole evening, quite forgetting the lawyer. The latter never accepted another invitation from Mr. A—.

If asked your opinion of another, give it cautiously, and be careful to whom you give it.

Never leave a lecture or concert before it is finished. It is rude to the speaker or singer. Equally ill-bred is it to talk during the entertainment.

No refined person will send a comic valentine, for fear of wounding feelings.

RULES WRITTEN BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AT FOURTEEN YEARS OF AGE.

Show not yourself glad at the misfortunes of another, though he be your enemy.

Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

Be not angry at table, whatever may happen; and, if you have reason to be show it not. Put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

so,

Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

MANNERS IN WASHINGTON.

Condensed from " Social Life in Washington," by Mrs. Dahlgren.

The President and his wife, standing at the head of the Nation, receive all calls without being expected to return any. In conversation he is addressed as "Mr. President." At his receptions any person may attend. You give

your name to an usher, and are announced, and then introduced by some one designated for the purpose.

Next in honor to the President comes the Vice President, the Speaker of the House who is usually addressed as Mr. Speaker, and the Chief Justice. All these receive the first visits from all others. The Cabinet officers are addressed as Mr. Secretary, and the Senators as Mr. Senator. Members of the House of Representatives and their wives are expected to make their first visit upon Senators, the Cabinet, etc. Citizens of Washington make the first visit to strangers.

At a reception, leave your card with the usher in the hall. At other times if the person called upon is not at home, turn down the right-hand upper corner

of the card to indicate that you came in person; and if the visit is intended for the various members of the family, you either give several cards, or fold over the entire right side. After a first call, it is courtesy to return it in three days. The usual calling hours are from two until five. An evening visit implies some degree of social acquaintance, and should rarely be made as a first call. If you are making a call of condolence turn down the left-hand lower corner of the card.

The wives of Government officials have specified days for receiving calls, which is the better plan for all ladies, as it saves time.

AT DINNER.

An invitation to dinner should be accepted or declined at once, that a hostess may know for how many to provide. A verbal message should never be returned to a written one. Be prompt to come at the hour named. A dinner should never wait more than fifteen or twenty minutes, as it is thereby spoiled for the other guests. When dinner is ready the host should take on his left arm, the lady who is to be especially honored, the hostess leaving the drawingroom last, with the gentlemen of the first official distinction present. The guests remain standing till the hostess seats herself. Then the ladies take their seats, followed by the gentlemen. The host and hostess sit at the center of the table, with their guests on either side of them, each plate being marked with the name of the expected guest on a card. On leaving the table the hostess rises and leads the way to the drawing-room.

MANNERS IN SPEECH.

"If a gentleman be to study any language, it ought to be that of his own country.-Locke.

The following are some of the improprieties of speech noted by Alfred Ayres in his "Verbalist," Dr. Mathews in "Words: their Use and Abuse," Richard Grant White and others:

"Not as good as the last," should read "not so good."

Use "author," not "authoress," any more than walkeress and talkeress. "Beside," at the side of; "besides," over and above.

"They are both alike;" "both" is redundant.

"Conversationist" is better than "conversationalist.”

"I have got a book," should be, "I have a book." There is no such word as "gents" any more than “lades." "Hadn't ought" should be " ought not."

"I learn him," should be, "I teach him." "Like I do," should be, "as I do."

"I must lie down ;" not "I must lay down."

Do not say you
“Preventive,” not “preventative.”

"love" food; say

"like."

“A pair of new gloves;" not a "new pair.”
Do not say "swap ;" say "exchange."
We "set" a hen, and a hen "sits" on eggs.
"We smell a thing;" not "smell of it."
"Those things;" not "them things."
Not "stop" at a hotel, but "stay."

"Two" is better than "couple." "That kind;" not "those kind."

"Spoonfuls," not "spoonsful."
spoonsful." "Whom do you mean ?" not "who."

DERIVATION OF NAMES OF MONTHS.

JANUARY, from the Roman Janus, who was the porter of heaven, and the god of the sun. The temple of Janus, which was really a covered passage or gate at Rome, was left open in war as a symbol that the god had gone out to assist the Roman arms, while it was always shut in time of peace. On New Year's day, which was the festival of the god Janus, the Romans gave presents to one another.

FEBRUARY, comes either from the Latin, februare, signifying to purify, because the Roman's had a custom of general purification in the latter part of this month, or from the Roman divinity, Februus, the god of the lower world.

MARCH was named for Mars, the Roman god of war. This was the first month in the early Roman calendar.

APRIL, derived probably from aperire, to open, because spring and the buds generally open in this month. All Fool's Day is traced back to the Hindoos; and some even say to the mistake Noah made in sending the dove out of the ark before the water had abated.

MAY is derived from a feminine divinity worshiped at Rome, to whom sacrifices were offered on the first of May. The celebration of May-day probably comes from the Roman festival in honor of Flora.

JUNE, the month of roses, is believed to come from Juno, worshiped at Rome as the queen of heaven.