es: "Mr.
Smith--Mrs. Jones"--the pause and inflection filling the ellipsis; and
really, upon the tone and manner depends the courtesy of the
introduction so barren of phrasing. A formal presentation is made in
this form:--"Miss Smith, allow me to present Mr. Jones."

Tact suggests that a hostess shall avoid bringing uncongenial people
together; but if this unfortunately happens through ignorance or
thoughtlessness, tact with equal urgency requires that the guests thus
inauspiciously mingled shall not allow any one, not even the hostess
herself, to discover the mistake. The same rule which allows perfect
strangers to be agreeably social for an hour, and then part as
strangers yet, certainly will grant to enemies a similar privilege.

The woman who conscientiously, and _perfectly_, hides her personal
animosities rather than mar the harmony of the social circle, is doing
her part to keep the world in tune.

The offer of the social right hand of fellowship is a tacit recognition
of equality. Hand-shaking is said to be an American habit. Certainly
the social conditions in a republic are favorable to such a custom. It
is a pity that a mode so adapted to express the warmth and loyalty of
friendship should be indiscriminately employed in casual greetings.
The pressure of the hand should mean more than it can mean, when, as
now, it is bestowed with equal alacrity on life-long friend and recent
acquaintance.

Fastidious and sensitive people are rather conservative in
hand-shaking. Etiquette allows considerable latitude. It is proper
and graceful, but not required, for two men to shake hands when
introduced. A lady does not usually shake hands with a new
acquaintance, unless the circumstances of the introduction make her
responsible for allowing special cordiality, as when a person is
introduced to her in her own house. A host and hostess shake hands
with a guest; they may omit to shake hands with the same person when
they meet him elsewhere.

Whatever one's personal impulse, it is polite to defer to the evident
preference of another; and to shake hands heartily if a hand is
cordially extended, or to refrain from proffering the hand when reserve
is evident in the manner of the other person.

Hand-shaking as a conventional ceremony should be as impersonal and as
void of significance as possible. The clasp of the hand should be firm
but brief; not hasty, yet not prolonged; and the fingers should relax
and loosen th