man?"

These terms have come to be used so continuously, and sometimes so
meaninglessly that they bid fair to crowd out the sweet, strong words,
"man" and "woman," and a revulsion of taste has swept in that goes
nigh in some "sets" to utterly swamp the "lady" and "gentleman."
Either extreme is a mistake.

There is a right and wrong use of these terms; for example, one says
to one's servants, or to one's children, "I expect some ladies to
visit me to-morrow," while later, referring to them in conversation
with a friend, one may say, "they are women of exquisite culture." A
matron may speak of young ladies as "girls," but if she be not
intimate, "young ladies," is more usual, or she may address them
collectively as "young women."

Misuse of the Term "Lady."

The term "lady" has been more abused than that of "gentleman." The
words "fore-lady," "sales-lady," "wash-lady," have rendered it
ludicrous when one thinks of contrasting it with the terms, happily
never used, of "fore-gentleman," "sales-gentleman," etc.

Formal consideration asks "if the ladies are at home," and refined
custom requires it. But to express the graces and endowments of a
woman, it is her womanliness that is emphasized. "She is a gracious,
sweet-tempered, kindly woman." The same distinction applies to the use
of the term "gentleman," or "man."

Says one writer, giving some examples of the use of these words: "A
polite host would say, 'The men are looking for some ladies who would
enjoy a game of tennis,' or, 'I can promise the young ladies a
pleasant time, for there will be a great many dancing men present.'
One gentleman says to another, in expressing his admiration, Miss
Blank is my ideal of a lovely and lovable woman' (he does not say
'lady'), but in the same breath he may add, 'Let us join the ladies
(not 'women') on the balcony.'"

One should always say "she is such a sweet old lady," rather than "she
is such a sweet old woman."

Much might be said in this regard, but after all, exact discrimination
of the proper term at the proper time must be left somewhat to the
personal judgment of each man and woman.

The leading business and professional men owe their success, in great
measure, to their graciousness in business manners. It is well, from
many points of view, to form the habit of treating all, rich and
poor, men and women, with uniform courtesy. The pleasant business man
draws the largest custom. The polite professional man secures