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 bienseances_ 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.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

SUGGESTIONS TO VISITERS 2

THE VISITED 24

TEA VISITERS 30

THE ENTREE 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

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MISS LESLIE'S

BEHAVIOUR BOOK.

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