be dispensed with. The quality
of the remaining tenth would doubtless be proportionately improved.

BEHAVIOR IN PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES

People understand and "make allowances" for many things that, to say
the least, are thoughtless in the behavior of people whom they know
well. Not so "the general public," which measures every man's conduct
by the strict law of propriety, and accredits him with so much
intelligence and refinement as his manners display--no more. And,
happily, no less; for this "general public" is a dispassionate critic
on the whole, and if it severely condemns our faults, it has no grudge
against us to keep it from equally appreciating our merits.

A "regard for appearances" is--and should be--a leading consideration
when ordering one's conduct in public. It is not enough that _we know_
ourselves to be above reproach; we must take care that the stranger who
observes us gets no impression to the contrary. Friends who know her
irresistibly mirthful disposition, may excuse the girl who laughs
boisterously on the street-car; but she will not be able to explain to
the severe-looking stranger opposite that she did _not_ do this to
attract attention.

Conduct in public should be characterized by reserve. The promenade,
the corridors of public buildings--post-office, railway stations,
etc.--the elevators and arcades of buildings devoted to shops and
offices; museums and picture-galleries, the foyer of the theatre, and
the reading-rooms of public libraries may all be regarded as thorough
fares, where the general public is our observant critic. Greetings
between acquaintances casually meeting in such places should be quiet
and conventional; friends should avoid calling each other by name, and
conversation should be confined to such remarks as one does not object
to have accidentally overheard. Subdued, but natural, tones of voice
should be used, and the manner should be perfectly "open and above
board." Cautious whispering is conspicuous, sometimes suspicious, and
always ill-mannered. If confidential matters are to be discussed, the
office or the parlor is the proper place for the conference.

When acquaintances meet on the promenade, recognitions are exchanged by
a slight bow, with or without a spoken greeting.

On the crowded walk, if two acquaintances pass and re-pass each other
several times in the course of the same promenade, it is not necessary
to exchange greetings after the first meet