Extravagancies in conversation--such phrases as 'Awfully this,'
'Beastly that,' 'Loads of time,' 'Don't you know,' 'hate' for
'dislike,' etc.
Sudden exclamations of annoyance, surprise, or joy--often dangerously
approaching to 'female swearing'--as 'Bother!' 'Gracious!' 'How
jolly!'
Yawning when listening to any one.
Talking on family matters, even to your bosom friends.
Attempting any vocal or instrumental piece of music that you cannot
execute with ease.
Crossing your letters.
Making a short, sharp nod with the head, intended to do duty for a
bow.
All nonsense in the shape of belief in dreams, omens, presentiments,
ghosts, spiritualism, palmistry, etc.
Entertaining wild flights of the imagination, or empty idealistic
aspirations.

I am afraid that I have a good deal of sympathy with what are called
'empty idealistic aspirations'; and 'wild flights of the imagination' are
so extremely rare in the nineteenth century that they seem to me
deserving rather of praise than of censure. The exclamation 'Bother!'
also, though certainly lacking in beauty, might, I think, be permitted
under circumstances of extreme aggravation, such as, for instance, the
rejection of a manuscript by the editor of a magazine; but in all other
respects the list seems to be quite excellent. As for 'What to
Cultivate,' nothing could be better than the following:

An unaffected, low, distinct, silver-toned voice.
The art of pleasing those around you, and seeming pleased with them,
and all they may do for you.
The charm of making little sacrifices quite naturally, as if of no
account to yourself.
The habit of making allowances for the opinions, feelings, or
prejudices of others.
An erect carriage--that is, a sound body.
A good memory for faces, and facts connected with them--thus avoiding
giving offence through not recognising or bowing to people, or saying
to them what had best been left unsaid.
The art of listening without impatience to prosy talkers, and smiling
at the twice-told tale or joke.

I cannot help thinking that the last aphorism aims at too high a
standard. There is always a certain amount of danger in any attempt to
cultivate impossible virtues. However, it is only fair to add that Lady
Bellairs recognises the importance of self-development quite as much as
the importance of self-denial; and there is a great deal of sound sense
in eve