do," should be replied to by
the same phrase, never, as is often the case with the novice in social
arts, by: "I am very well, thank you." A special inquiry after one's
health, however, as: "How do you do, Mrs. Jones?" followed, after her
acknowledgment, by: "How are you?" or, "How is your health?" should
receive the response, "I am very well, thank you." After an
acquaintance has been ill, the first inquiry by a friend should be one
concerning health. This is a rule that should never be neglected; to
do so would be an oversight.

Kissing is a custom which the code of English and American etiquette
relegates as much as possible to the privacy of home. A kiss, the
outward expression of our closest affection and our warmest love,
should never be made a public show whereat the outside world may
smile. Hence, the effusive kissing between girls and women at their
meeting and their parting, is to be regretted as a specimen, to say
the least, of very bad taste on their part. Indiscriminate kissing of
children and infants is also objectionable on the score of health.
Happily, kisses and embraces among men are never seen in this country,
though, in some parts of Europe they are constantly to be observed,
both in public and private.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: A SOCIETY BALL--SHOWING FASHIONABLE COSTUMES.]

ART of CONVERSATION

[Illustration]

"Talk often," says Lord Chesterfield, "but never long; in that case if
you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your hearers. Pay
your own reckoning, but do not treat the entire company: this being
one of the very few cases in which people do not care to be treated,
every one being fully convinced that he has the wherewithal to pay."

All other arts pale before the art of conversation as a source of
popularity, and no other accomplishment tends so much toward social
success. The contact of many minds is a constant stimulus to mental
activity and its outward expression in animated conversation. It lends
new power to brilliancy of talent, and quickens, to a certain extent,
even the lowest and dullest of intellects.

Everyone has been surprised and delighted at times by some
unexpectedly brilliant remark that has flashed from his lips during
the course of some animated exchange of badinage and repartee, and
there is no one but realizes how the mind acquires breadth and the
opinions grow tolerant as one converses with persons of intelligence
and culture.

Si