FOREWORD

“The supreme business of the school is to develop a sense of justice, the power of initiative, independence of character, correct social and civic habits, and the ability to cooeperate toward the common good.”—­Dr. Frank Crane.

How do you develop correct social habits, the habits of a gentleman or a lady?

You develop correct social habits just as you develop correct habits in playing ball, or in swimming,—­you discover the rules; then you practise, practise, practise.  A good general rule is, Do what a kind heart prompts; for,

    Politeness is to do and say
    The kindest thing in the kindest way.

We earnestly hope this little book may help girls and boys to become happier, more agreeable, and more effective citizens.

The Deans of girls,
Chicago high Schools.

MAXIMS OF CONDUCT

    Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us
    dare to do our duty as we understand it.

    —­Lincoln.

    Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.

    —­Earl of Chesterfield.

    Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

    —­Franklin.

    The secret of success is constancy of purpose.

    —­Disraeli.

    Evil communications corrupt good manners.

    —­New testament.

    Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
      Do noble things, not dream them, all day long;
    And so make life, death, and that vast forever
      One grand sweet song.

    —­Kingsley.

    Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
    As to be hated needs but to be seen;
    Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
    We first endure, then pity, then embrace.

    —­Pope.

    In vain we call old notions fudge,
      And bend our conscience to our dealing;
    The Ten Commandments will not budge,
      And stealing will continue stealing.

    —­Lowell.

GREETING

    Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for
    courtesy.

    —­Emerson.

Girls, the word lady should suggest, ideally, a girl (or a woman) who keeps herself physically fit, her thinking on a high plane, and her manners gentle and winsome.

Boys, the word gentleman means, ideally, a fine, athletic, manly fellow who is an all round good sport in the best sense, and who has manners that do not prevent other people from seeing how fine he is.

THE STREET

    Remember this,—­that there is a proper dignity and proportion to
    be observed in the performance of every act of life.