If you are desirous of indulging in a jest, and are apprehensive that the trial may be unsuccessful, modestly refer to it as one which is not original. You may thus save yourself from much mortification.

Avoid positive assertions, and make frequent use of such phrases as the following, "It seems to me that " "I think that, unless I am mistaken"

allowed to say that "

"Perhaps I may be

"Permit me to make an objection," &c. &c. If you should not happen to convince those who hear you, you will not, at all events, offend them. This unassuming mode of expressing one's self is of great weight in conversation.

ATTENTION.

Y THE obligation to listen is one of the fundamental laws of the social code.

The art of listening well is often preferable to that of speaking well. The chief reason why such a small number are met with, who are truly agreeable, is, that nearly all think more of what they have to say, than of listening to what is said. Many listeners, otherwise polite, appear to have great difficulty in restraining their impatience to return to what they themselves were saying; forgetting that indulgence in the gratification of one's self, is but a poor way of gratifying others; and that to hear attentively and answer concisely is one of the most important points in conversation.

Inattention is at all times more or less impolite, and under certain circumstances really outrageous. It is very difficult not to be guilty of this offence occasionally, when with those who talk foolishly; but if you bring this suffering upon yourself, since such interviews are

almost always avoidable, you are bound to endure it patiently.

To consider silent immobility as attention, is an erroneous interpretation of the law of politeness. You must prove that you have not only eyes but ears; and a monosyllable of approbation or interest ought, at times, to be uttered, in order to satisfy the speaker that you hear and understand all that is said. . Your interlocutor requires some sign of life, to be satisfied that he is not throwing away words upon an unanimated figure.

It is in no instance allowable to appear absent-minded, except when the person with whom you are speaking makes some flattering allusion to an action, work or expression, of your own. In such cases only, apparent inattention shows to some advantage.

CONVERSATION IN A DRAWING-ROOM.

A drawing-room is to be regarded as a stage upon which parts are performed before a public, that applauds or hisses, according to the merits of the actor. It is necessary to watch

one's self as well as others, and to maintain a deportment and language adapted to the locality.

In the room of the merchant, where are present men of business, bankers, speculators, &c., the careless abandonment of manner which exists unnoticed there, would be decidedly out of place in the private drawing-room. The former may be a suitable place for the young aspirant to frequent, who has a certain timidity to overcome; but the abrupt, unsubdued tone so apt to be acquired there, should not be carried into the parlor. Ladies are more exacting, as to the due fulfilment of social obligations, and our attention must be, in their own precincts, immediately directed to them. Men are more accommodating, and would observe with greater indulgence that "brusque

rie of tone and manner which is so improper and offensive in the presence of the other sex.

When a drawing-room is entered in which. many are assembled, a slight inclination of the head may be made to the party in general, but the first word uttered should be to the master or mistress of the house. When this duty is performed, the circle may be approached, and the first chance offered for entering into conversation should be unhesitatingly improved.

If the master and mistress should both chance to be absent, the situation of the visitor is rather an embarrassing one, and requires much assurance. The best part to take in such a dilemma is to appear perfectly at home, beginning to converse at once with some one, no matter with whom; accost, question, answer, right and left, as frequently as possible; and it is probable that, in a short time, you will have made many acquaintances, in a party of strangers, whose cold, forbidding exteriors presaged, at first, nothing but mortification and disappointment.

It is exceedingly ill-bred, though not uncom mon, to whisper in company. There is no absolute need of saying to one what you would