blackened shoes and thoroughly brushed
clothes. Hair oil must never be used; it is ill-bred.

Clothes of plain colors are always in good taste, and so is pure white
linen. The fancy dotted and striped collars, cuffs and bosoms, so
often worn, are not as good taste.

Jewelry should be used very sparingly. Utility should be apparent in
the articles worn. Watch chain, sleeve buttons and studs (one or
three, as liked) are necessary. Where one stud is used, the stone,
though not conspicuous for size, should be a very fine one. A scarf
pin is sometimes worn, and one ring is allowable, but not too large or
showy. Don't use quantities of perfumery, it is very bad taste.

Keep a dressing-gown for use in the dressing-room or the sick-room. It
is not a proper garment for the table or the sitting-room.

Wear the hat properly and squarely upon the head. Wear a coat at all
proper times--in the sitting-room, drawing-room, and at table.

Lastly, a gentleman avoids all conspicuous styles of dress, and
confines himself to quiet colors and well-fitting, well-cared-for
garments.

Evening Dress for Gentlemen.

The evening dress for gentlemen varies very little from year to year,
and the time of wearing it varies not at all. From "dusk to dawn," in
other words, a gentleman wears a dress suit during the same hours that
a lady wears an evening dress.

Gentlemen's evening dress consists of black trousers, a low-cut black
or white vest, dress or "swallow-tail" coat, and white necktie. The
linen must be immaculate. A young man wears a standing collar; an
elderly man, if he choose, may wear his favorite style, with due
deference to the reigning style. One or three studs adorn the bosom.

Properly speaking, white or very light kid gloves are a part of
evening dress, but to say whether or not they shall be worn always at
a formal dinner is hardly safe. If worn, remove them at the table; but
at a ball they are indispensable. On all doubtful occasions it is well
to be provided with a pair, to use if wished.

Evening dress is to be worn at balls, large dinners, parties and the
opera. It is never worn at church, save in case of an evening
wedding. It is never worn anywhere on Sunday. In a small town a dress
suit on any occasion is apt to seem an affectation. Never wear a dress
suit anywhere before six o'clock in the evening.

"A gentleman never looks more thoroughly a gentleman than in an
evening dress," says one writer on etiquette, and