Talk to a mother about her children.  Women are never tired of hearing of themselves and their children.

If you go to a house where there are children you should take especial care to conciliate their good will by a little manly tete-a-tete, otherwise you may get a ball against your skins, or be tumbled from a three-legged chair.

To be able to converse with women you must study their vocabulary.  You would make a great mistake in interpreting never, forever, as they are explained in Johnson.

Do not be for ever telling a woman that she is handsome, witty, etc.  She knows that a vast deal better than you do.

Do not allow your love for one woman to prevent your paying attention to others.  The object of your love is the only one who ought to perceive it.

A little pride, which reminds you what is due to yourself, and a little good nature, which suggests what is due to others, are the pre-requisites for the moral constitution of a gentleman.

Too much vivacity and too much inertness are both fatal to politeness.  By the former we are hurried too far, by the latter we are kept too much back.

Nil admirari, the precept of stoicism, is the precept for conduct among gentlemen.  All excitement must be studiously avoided.  When you are with ladies the case is different.  Among them, wonder, astonishment, ecstacy, and enthusiasm, are necessary in order to be believed.

Never dispute in the presence of other persons.  If a man states an opinion which you cannot adopt, say nothing.  If he states a fact which is of little importance, you may carelessly assent.  When you differ let it be indirectly; rather a want of assent than actual dissent.

If you wish to inquire about anything, do not do it by asking a question; but introduce the subject, and give the person an opportunity of saying as much as he finds it agreeable to impart.  Do not even say, “How is your brother to-day?” but “I hope your brother is quite well.”

Never ask a lady a question about anything whatever.

It is a point of courtly etiquette which is observed rigorously by every one who draws nigh, that a question must never be put to a king.

Never ask a question about the price of a thing.  This horrible error is often committed by a nouveau riche.

If you have accepted an invitation to a party never fail to keep your promise.  It is cruel to the lady of the house to accept, and then send an apology at the last moment.  Especially do not break your word on account of bad weather.  You may be certain that many others will, and the inciter will be mortified by the paucity of her guests.  A cloak and a carriage will secure you from all inconvenience, and you will be conferring a real benefit.

CHAPTER V. THE ENTRANCE INTO SOCIETY.

Women, particularly women a little on the decline, are those who make the reputation of a young man.  When the lustre of their distinction begins to fade, a slight feeling of less wonted leisure, perhaps a little spite, makes them observe attentively those who surround them.  Eager to gain new admirers, they encourage the first steps of a debutant in the career of society, and exert themselves to fit him to do honour to their patronage.