EDITOR'S
EDITORIAL CHIT - CHAT . THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD MANNERS cannot be estimated too highly. A graceful carriage, a conciliatory demeanor, and tact in conversation, frequently go further in making friends than far more sterling qualities. It is true that success of this kind is not of itself lasting ; nor, indeed, should it be; but for first impressions a good manner is invaluable. First impressions, also, if made permanent by real merit, will always win the day. Of two young gentlemen, each equal in solid worth, each an aspirant for the hand of the same lady, and each making her acquaintance at the same time, that one will be sure to succeed who has the best manners. For that matter, too, a lady, under similar circumstances, will carry off a lover from a less wellbred rival . We often hear even sensible people complaining of this. They say that it is a shame to see mere surface qualities overrated in this way. But we doubt both whether good manners are a surface quality, and whether their value is overrated. Nothing, in this world, holds its own long, unless it has positive merit ; and good-breeding has been esteemed in all ages, in all nations, and with all classes. The reason is not far to seek. The best of us, not to put it too fine, have more or less self-love. We meet a stranger for the first time: he is affable, deferential, tries every way to please ; and naturally we are flattered, even though we may not be conscious of it ourselves. The same day we meet another stranger : he is rough, dictatorial, supercilious ; we part from him feeling out of humor with ourselves, with himself, with everything ; and it is all because, so to speak, he has rubbed us against the grain. Beauty, in a woman, goes a great way, and a distinguished appearance in a man, but neither can hope to rival, in the long run, really elegant manners. To a certain extent, good-breeding is conventional: a Turkish gentleman is offended if you ask after his wife, an Americau one is complimented by it; but behind these conventionalisms , which a traveler easily acquires, lies the basis of all real politeness, " to do unto others as you would wish to be done unto." A thoroughly good man, whatever his station, is always substantially well-bred. But even a bad man, or an indifferent one, if he acts, in society, on this rule, becomes an agreeable companion , and will distance any competitor, no matter how intellectual, or learned, who is boorish, that is selfish, in his deportment.
TABLE . SIMPLER FASHIONS.- In Paris, many ladies of fashion and influence seem disposed to come back to simpler fashions. It is especially against excessively large chignons that these ladies are crying out. They could not attack a more striking abuse. Modern chignons give a frightful shape to female heads. Any idea of the natural hair being worn is out of the question in presence of those gigantic edifices of leops and crepes. All the charm of a coiffure is lost as soon as one sees nothing but artificial tresses in those curls and bandeaux, put on as ornaments, but suddenly becoming an object of real repulsion. During last winter, several young ladies, at the head of Parisian society, achieved a real success byshowing themselves with their hair simply braided. We can assure those of our lady readers who are sighing over the necessity of wearing a false chignon, that such a necessity does not exist, and that these absurd chignons are teginning to be repudiated by the truest and best authorities France possesses in matters of elegance and good taste.
MENTAL PHOTOGRAPHS.- Leypoldt & Holt, New York, have just published an Album for confessions, tastes, habits, and convictions, which is quite original in its idea. A place is left, on each page, for a carte de visite of a friend, and the rest is occupied with questions as to his, or her tastes, habits, etc., the answers to which are expected to furnish a complete summary of character, etc. We should think an Album of this kind would become very popular.
THE MOST HEALTHY METHOD of dressing the hair of women, especially young ones, is to let the hair be as loose as possible, or arranged in large bands, so as to allow the air to pass through them. It is a mistake to plait tightly the hair of children under eleven or twelve years of age. The process of plaiting more or less strains the hairs in their roots by pulling them tight. The hair of girls should be cut at the ends, and allowed to curl freely. FLOWERS ARE THE ALPHABET OF ANGELS, as some one has prettily said. Scattered over hill and valley, they speak what no tongue can express : their beauty and fragrance suggesting a world even more beautiful than this.
PLAIN BODICES are trimmed in the shape of a berthe or fichu; often they are open in front, upon a fichu of pleated SAILOR COLLARS, so much worn in summer, especially at tulle or very fine muslin. This style of fichu is newer than the sea-shore, are very much slanted off in front, and are a high chemisette. most fashionable, either in linen or in embroidered cambric. THE PUFF REIGNS SUPREME .- Puff upon the head, puff beTo fill up the space between the points of the collar, the ladies wear a pretty cravat-bow of silk or satin, ready made, hind the back; skirts, dresses, casaques, bonnets, all mrst and fastened under the collar by means of an elastic string. conform to the puff. The fashions of Louis XV, in fact, These bows have taken the place of the narrow cravats have it all their own way. which have been worn so long. Dress-collars are made with WHEN AN ENGAGEMENT is broken off it is customary to short lace lappets in front, fastened under a brooch or a send back presents. The wisdom of the rule is obvious. cravat-bow of satin. We do not see how our fair correspondent came to think AN ENGLISH JOURNAL says that it is the fashion, in New differently. York, for brides to reside with their parents for the first BONNETS have gained in height what they have lost in year after marriage. Another English paper says that breadth. are diadems or puffs very high, and ornaAmerican brides make their bridal call in white silks. mented They with feathers and aigrettes. Both of these items will be news to our readers. IF ONIONS are sliced and kept in a sick-room, it is said NO WOMAN OF TASTE will dye her hair. The natural color they will absorb all the atmospheric poison. They should of the hair harmonizes with the complexion, whatever the be changed every hour. color may be, and to alter this is to offend one's sense of color. A brunette, who dyes her hair golden, simply makes IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to subscribe for "Peterson." See a fright of herself. the Prospectus at the end ofthe number. 152
