Neatness in personal habits is the first mark of good breeding that
strikes the observer. Not that a dandy is always a gentleman; but an
habitual sloven cannot be. The clothing worn at work may be
unavoidably soiled; as also the hands, when occupations involve the
handling of dirty substances. But "a little water clears us of this
deed; how easy is't then!"
The neatly-dressed hair, the fresh clean skin, the well-kept teeth, the
smooth polished nails, the spotless linen and the tasteful tie, the
well-brushed clothing and the tidy boots, are all points of good form
in personal appearance.
The toilet once made should be considered finished. The hands should
not stray to the hair to re-adjust hair-pins--an absent-minded habit.
The nervous toying with ear-rings or brooches, or dress buttons, is
another mannerism to be guarded against. The hands should learn the
grace of repose. It is a great triumph of nervous control for a woman
_to hold her hands still_ when they are not definitely employed.
If the attitudes of sitting and standing are practiced under the
direction of the teacher of "physical culture," one will probably be
innocent of such solecisms as thrusting the feet out to display the
shoes; sitting sideways, or cross-legged; or slipping half-way down in
the chair; or bending over a book in round-shouldered position; rocking
violently; beating a noisy tattoo with impatient toes; or standing on
one foot with the body thrown out of line, etc., etc.
Scratching the head or ears, and picking the teeth, are operations that
are properly attended to in one's own dressing-room. The conspicuous
use of the handkerchief is in bad form. Blowing the nose is not a
pleasant demonstration at any time, and at the table is simply
unpardonable. A person of fastidious taste will take care of the nose
in the quietest and most unobtrusive way, and refrain from disgusting
other people of fastidious taste.
"Familiarity breeds contempt." Laying the hand upon another's head or
shoulder, clinging to the arms or about the waist, is a freedom that
only near relationship or close friendship will excuse. Among slight
acquaintances it is an unwarrantable liberty. Even at the impulsive
"school-girl age" young ladies should be taught to repel such
under-bred familiarities.