me and place.

At a spectacular entertainment, it is very rude for those in front to
stand up in order to see better, thus cutting off all view for those
back of them. The disposition to do this is very strong in rural
audiences, where the flat floor of the school-house or hall gives
little chance for the observers seated back of the first few "rows."
But one may better lose part of the "tableau" on the stage than to
furnish _another_ one on the floor of the house.

At a lecture, a special personal respect is due to the speaker. This
is shown by a courteous attention and a general demeanor of interest
and appreciation. If applause is merited, it should be given in a
refined manner. The stamping of the feet is coarse, and the pounding
of the floor with canes and umbrellas is as lazy as it is noisy. The
clapping of hands is a natural language of delight, and, when
skillfully done, is an enthusiastic expression of approbation. Some
effort is being made to substitute the waving of handkerchiefs as a
symbol of approval or greeting to a favorite speaker, but it is quite
probable that this silent signal will not take the place of the more
active demonstration of clapping the hands, except on very quiet and
intellectual occasions.

Shall ladies join in applause? As a matter of fact, women seldom
applaud, but not because propriety necessarily forbids; it is chiefly
because the tight-fitting kid glove renders "clapping" a mechanical
impossibility. Feminine enthusiasm is quite equal to it at times, as,
for instance, when listening to a favorite elocutionist or violinist.
There is no reason why ladies may not "clap," if they _can_. It
certainly is quite as lady-like and orderly as for them to give vent to
their enthusiasm, as many do, in audible exclamations of "Too sweet for
_anything_!" "Just too _lovely_!" etc., all of which might have been
"conducted off" at the finger-tips if hand-clapping had been a feasible
medium of expression.

Applause may be a very effective and graceful exponent of gentlemanly
appreciation if given with discrimination; but if too ready and
frequent, it ceases to have any point, and becomes commonplace. While
a man of taste will applaud heartily on occasion, he will refrain from
extravagant and continuous clapping.

The observance of the proprieties of time, place, and occasion are
nowhere more urgent than at church. Much of the liberty that is
granted on secular occasions is entirely ou