THE LADIES' BOOK OF ETIQUETTE,

ANDMANUAL OF POLITENESS.

A COMPLETE HAND BOOK FOR THE USE OF THE LADY IN POLITE SOCIETY.

CONTAINING

FULL DIRECTIONS FOR CORRECT MANNERS, DRESS, DEPORTMENT, AND CONVERSATION;

RULES FOR THE DUTIES OF BOTH HOSTESS AND GUEST

IN MORNING RECEPTIONS, DINNER COMPANIES, VISITING, EVENING PARTIES AND BALLS;

A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR LETTER WRITING AND CARDS OF COMPLIMENT;

HINTS ON MANAGING SERVANTS, ON THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH, AND ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

AND ALSO

USEFUL RECEIPTS FOR THE COMPLEXION, HAIR, AND WITH HINTS

AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE CARE OF THE WARDROBE

BY

FLORENCE HARTLEY,

AUTHOR OF THE "LADIES' HAND BOOK OF FANCY AND ORNAMENTAL WORK."

BOSTON:

G. W. COTTRELL, PUBLISHER, 36 Cornhill.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by

G. G. EVANS,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Sue's First Readin' Lesson

"Look Frank! I gots me that teecut book from Miss Dixie.

It weighs a ton! But yous can teach me the words... then I can fix me!"

"Sue, you don't need fix'n, in fact you're just right.

Are you sure you wouldn't rather ride the windmill sails?

Look! I fixed your kite!"

"Frank, have you seen the underwear shelves down at the General Store?

There's a bunch of em... all fashions 'n sizes... I don't know what they're all for!

And dresses!.. Frank... Dresses... there's rules bout em.

Some are for morn'ns, some are for ride'n... different colors.. different fabrics... different hems!

And presents!... Frank!... There are gifts right 'n wrong!

I think I been give'n the wrong gifts all along!

And I wants to write Petra a thank you note proper

She's such a fine carver,

For my beautiful comb 'n rose of iron -

And an artist with metal,

But she don't act all snooty 'n highborn...

Like some folks who thinks they's special.

And the next time a fella hands me a note,

I wants to know what it's about!

That Enzo!

He carries a shadow!

But I had to wait for you to say so!

So's to reckon out all these things on my own...

What I really needs

Is to learn to read!

Frank let out a big, long sigh...

"OK, Sue... if that's really what you want to do...

Let's have us a lesson

Then you can make me a chicken pot pie."

Sue spit on her hand, and they shook on the deal.

One read'n lesson in exchange for

For chicken pie meal.

"Start here, Frank", Sue said as she pointed ... "this here"

To the first page, so Frank could see it clear...

P. O. L. I. T. E. N. E. S. S.

"Hmm... Let's see...

P. O. L sounds like 'pole'

The first three letters are P. O. L

That sound is easy...

Easy to tell

P. O. L sounds like 'pole'

It's the first sound of the whole."

Excited, Sue jumps down 'n up

"I know, I know! it's a polecat!

But Frank, I don't understand...

what's a stinky polecat have to do with use'n this here tee cut?

Exasperated, Frank leans back

"It's not about a smelly cat

That word is 'politeness' & that's a fact!

It's about be'n kind... not hit'n back!

Ladies and gentleman are never rude,

They serve out kindness like the finest food.

They don't spit, or yell or holler...

Or make you think that you're a bother! "

"Then how do you know their words are true?

Is politeness just another way not tell the truth?!"

With tears in her eyes, Sue stood and wailed...

"I failed to learn, and your teach'n failed!"

"Sue!... don't let this book get your read'n de-railed!

Now Sue, you use your politeness and make me that pie...

And I'll be polite and eat it.

Then, I

Will show you a word

That won't make you cry.

In fact, the word I will show you will be a surprise."