d a "square deal" to the occupants of the back rows. But of
late vanity has re-asserted itself in the guise of elaborate
hair-dressing, until the aigrette and the bow have become as great an
imposition as was their predecessor, the flaring hat. This evasion of
the issue will be more difficult to control by public prohibition. It
remains for the polite woman to avoid adopting, for such occasions, the
towering head-dress that evokes not admiration but execration from the
people seated behind her. No woman need risk annoying others in order
to be attractive herself; there are numerous styles that are both
unobtrusive and becoming. Moreover, the woman in good society has
ample opportunity to exhibit her elaborate coiffure at private social
functions.

People who wish to leave the theatre between the acts should make it a
point to secure end seats and not _scrape_ past half a dozen other
people three or four times during the performance. If it is necessary
to trouble other people to rise and step aside to allow one to take or
to leave his seat, the person thus obliged should preface the action
with "I beg pardon," or "May I trouble you to allow me to pass;"--and
should acknowledge the obligation by saying "Thank you." This may not
lessen the inconvenience to other people, but it may mollify the
feeling of irritability that such things naturally arouse.

It ought to be superfluous to say that talking aloud, or continuous
whispering during the progress of a play or opera or concert, usually
on topics foreign to the occasion, is a rudeness to the performers and
a bold impertinence to the rest of the audience. Some people are
guilty of this insolence wittingly and unblushingly. For such we have
no word of advice. Such instances should be met by something more
effective than "gentle influence." But many, especially young people,
talk and laugh thoughtlessly, and from mere exuberance of animal
spirits. It is to be hoped that on pausing to reflect they will
carefully avoid forming a habit of public misbehavior that will
ultimately rank them in the social scale as confirmed vulgarians. An
_intelligent_ listener never interrupts. Between the scenes of a play,
or the successive numbers of a concert programme, there are pauses long
enough for a brief exchange of comment between two friends who are
sharing an entertainment, and they may enjoy the pleasure of thus
comparing notes without once disturbing the order of the ti