Chapter I: Preface

It is said that soon after the publication of Nicholas Nickleby, not fewer than six Yorkshire schoolmasters (or rather six principals of Yorkshire institutes) took journeys to London, with the express purpose of prosecuting Dickens for libels—“each one and severally” considering himself shown up to the world as Mr. Squeers of Dotheboys Hall.

Now, if Dickens had drawn as graphic a picture of Dothe_girls_ Hall, we firmly believe that none of the lady principals of similar institutes would have committed themselves by evincing so little tact, and adopting such impolitic proceedings. They would wisely have held back from all appropriation of the obnoxious character, and passed it over unnoticed; as if it could not possibly have the slightest reference to _them_.

Therefore we wish that those of our fair readers whom certain hints in the following pages may awaken to the consciousness of a few habitual misbehavements, (of which they were not previously aware,) should pause, and reflect, before they allow themselves to “take umbrage too much.” Let them keep in mind that the purpose of the writer is to amend, and not to offend; to improve her young countrywomen, and not to annoy them. It is with this view only that she has been induced to “set down in a note-book” such lapses from _les bienséances_ as she has remarked during a long course of observation, and on a very diversified field.

She trusts that her readers will peruse this book in as friendly a spirit as it was written.

ELIZA LESLIE.

_Philadelphia, March 15, 1853._

CONTENTS.

PAGE
SUGGESTIONS TO VISITERS 9
THE VISITED 24
TEA VISITERS 30
THE ENTRÉE 47
INTRODUCTIONS 52
CONDUCT IN THE STREET 65
SHOPPING 71
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT 87
TRAVELLING 92
DEPORTMENT AT A HOTEL 101
HOTEL DINNER 120
SHIP-BOARD 143
LETTERS 150
PRESENTS 174
CONVERSATION 185
INCORRECT WORDS 216
BORROWING 225
OFFENCES 243
OBLIGATIONS TO GENTLEMEN 250
CONDUCT TO LITERARY WOMEN 256
SUGGESTIONS TO INEXPERIENCED AUTHORS 274
CHILDREN 285
DECORUM IN CHURCH 299
EVENING PARTIES 304
MISCELLANIES 330

THE

BEHAVIOUR BOOK.