Chapter I: Introduction

Politeness Defined--The Foundation of Good Manners--The Civil
Code and the Code of Civility--The Instinct of Courtesy--
Chesterfield's Method--The Golden Rule--American Politeness--
Utility of Good Manners Illustrated. Page ix

I.--PERSONAL HABITS.

Where to Commence--Care of the Person a Social Duty--Cleanliness--
The Daily Bath--Soap and Water--The Feet--Change of Linen--The
Nails--The Head--The Teeth--The Breath--Eating and Drinking--What
to Eat--When to Eat--How much to Eat--What to Drink--Breathing--
Exercise--The Complexion--Tobacco--Spitting--Gin and Gentility--
Onions, etc.--Little Things 15

II.--DRESS.

The Meaning of Dress--The Uses of Dress--Fitness the First
Essential--The Art of Dress--The Short Dress for Ladies--
Working-Dress for Gentlemen--Ornaments--Materials for Dress--Mrs.
Manners on Dress--The Hair and Beard--Art _vs._ Fashion--Signs of
the Good Time Coming 31

III.--SELF-CULTURE.

Moral and Social Training--Cultivation of Language--Position and
Movement--The Ease and Grace of Childhood--Standing--Sitting--
Walking--Hints to the Ladies--Self-Command--Observation--Practical
Lesson 42

IV.--FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.

Manners and Morals--Human Rights--Duties--The Rights of the
Senses--The Faculties and their Claims--Expression of
Opinions--The Sacredness of Privacy--Conformity--Singing out of
Tune--Doing as the Romans Do--Courtesy _vs._ Etiquette--An
Anecdote--Harmony--Equality--A Remark to be Remembered--General
Principles more Important than Particular Observances 48

V.--DOMESTIC MANNERS.

A Test of Good Manners--Good Behavior at Home--American
Children--Teaching Children to be Polite--Behavior to
Parents--Brothers and Sisters--Husband and Wife--Married
Lovers--Entertaining Guests--Letting your Guests Alone--Making
one "at Home"--Making Apologies--Duties of Guests--Treatment of
Servants--Rights of Servants--"Thank You" 56

VI.--THE OBSERVANCES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE.

Introductions--Letters of Introduction--Speaking without an
Introduction--Salutations--Receptions--Visits and Calls--Table
Manners--Conversations--Chesterfield on Conversation--Music--
Letters and Notes--Up and Down Stairs--Which Goes First?--An
American Habit--Gloved or Ungloved?--Equality--False Shame--
Pulling out one's Watch--Husband and Wife--Bowing _vs._
Curtseying--Presents--Snobbery--Children 64

VII.--ETIQUETTE OF OCCASIONS.

Dinner Parties--Invitations--Dress--Punctuality--Going to the
Table--Arrangement of Guests--Duties of the Host--Duties of the
Guests--The "Grace"--Eating Soup--Fish--The Third Course--What
to do with your Knife and Fork--Declining Wine--Finger Glasses--
Carving--Evening Parties and their Observances--French Leave--
Sports and Games--Promiscuous Kissing--Dancing--Christmas--The
New Year--Thanksgiving--Birthdays--Excursions and Picnics--
Weddings--Funerals 83

VIII.--THE ETIQUETTE OF PLACES.

How to Behave on the Street--Stopping Business Men on the Street--
Walking with Ladies--Shopping--At Church--At Places of Amusement--
In a Picture Gallery--The Presence--Traveling--The Rush for
Places--The Rights of Fellow-Travelers--Giving up Seats to the
Ladies--A Hint to the Ladies on Politeness--Paying Fares 100

IX.--LOVE AND COURTSHIP.

Boyish Loves--The Proper Age to Marry--Waiting for a Fortune--
Importance of Understanding Physiological Laws--Earnestness and
Sincerity in Love--Particular Attentions--Presents--Confidants--
Declarations--Asking "Pa"--Refusals--Engagement--Breaking Off--
Marriage 110

X.--PARLIAMENTARY ETIQUETTE.

Courtesy in Debate--Origin of the Parliamentary Code--Rules of
Order--Motions--Speaking--Submitting a Question--Voting--A
Quorum The Democratic Principle--Privileged Questions--Order of
Business--Order of Debate 116

XI.--MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.

Republican Distinctions--Natural Inequalities--American Toad
Eaters--General Lack of Reverence for Real Nobility--City and
Country--Imported Manners--Fictitious Titles--A Mirror for
Certain Men--Washington's Code of Manners--Our Social Uniform--A
Hint to the Ladies--An Obliging Disposition--Securing a
Home--Taste _vs._ Fashion--Special Claims--Propriety of
Deportment--False Pride--Awkwardness of being Dressed 124

XII.--MAXIMS FROM CHESTERFIELD.

Cheerfulness and Good Humor--The Art of Pleasing--Adaptation of
Manners--Bad Habits--Do what you are About--People who Never
Learn--Local Manners--How to Confer Favors--How to Refuse--
Spirit--Civility to Women 135

XIII.--ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES.

Elder Blunt and Sister Scrub Taking off the Hat, or John and his
Employer--A Learned Man at Table--English Women in High Life--
"Say so, if you Please" 139