Author of "The Future of Educated Women," etc.
CHICAGO:
JANSEN, McCLURG, & COMPANY.
1886.
COPYRIGHT,
BY JANSEN, MCCLURG, & CO.
A.D. 1885.
| LETTER I. | BEHAVIOR AND MANNERS |
| LETTER II. | SELF-CONTROL AND SELF-CULTURE |
| LETTER III. | AIMS IN LIFE |
| LETTER IV. | PERSONAL HABITS |
| LETTER V. | SOCIETY—CONVERSATION |
| LETTER VI. | ASSOCIATES AND FRIENDS |
| LETTER VII. | TACT—UNOBTRUSIVENESS |
| LETTER VIII. | WHO ARE THE CULTIVATED? |
| LETTER IX. | RELIGIOUS CULTURE AND DUTY |
| A LITTLE SERMON TO SCHOOL-GIRLS |
My Dear Daughter:—One of the greatest blessings I could wish for you,as you pass out from the guardianship of home into life with its dutiesand trials, is that you should possess the power of winning love andfriends. With this power, the poor girl is rich; without it, the richestgirl is poor. In the main, this power of winning friends and lovedepends upon two things: behavior and manners. Between these there is animportant distinction, but one is the outgrowth of the other. The rootof good manners is good behavior. Consider with me for a little whateach implies.
Behavior is a revealer of real character. It has especially to do withthe more serious duties and relations of life. Its greatest importanceis in the home. How well do I remember a visit, made in my youth, to aschool friend whom I had learned to admire greatly for her superiorintellect, quick wit, power of acquiring knowledge, and ability torecite well in class. In her home she was rude and disrespectful andeven disobedient to her parents; cross and sarcastic with her brothersand sisters; selfish and indolent in all matters pertaining to the workof the household. What a disenchantment was my experience! That greatand good man, who has written so many noble precepts about the conductof life, Mr. Emerson, in speaking of and praising a noble citizen, says:"Never was such force, good meaning, good sense, good action, combinedwith such lovely domestic behavior, such