much about books is not well; it often marks the pedantic and egotistic
character. It is safe to say that unless one happens to meet a very
congenial mind among conversers in general society, to introduce the
subject of books is liable to be misconstrued. It is not very long since
another popular modern novelist held up to scorn and ridicule the young
woman whose particular ambition seemed to be to let society know what an
immense number of books she had been reading. Nevertheless, one must
have a good groundwork of knowledge of books in order to avoid mistakes
such as poor Irene made in talking with young Corey.

Directions and suggestions for aiding young people to become agreeable
and pleasant conversers must necessarily be mainly negative. Taken for
granted that a young person possesses animation good sense,
intelligence, and a genuine interest in her companions and the world
around her; is observing, and can speak grammatically without
hesitating; knows the difference between "you and I" and "you and me"
(which I am sorry to say a great many young girls of my acquaintance do
not, for I constantly hear them saying, "He brought you and I a
bouquet," or, "You and me are invited to tea this evening"), she can
almost certainly be a pleasant and entertaining converser if she avoids
certain things, as, for instance:

1. She must avoid talking about herself, her exploits, her acquirements,
her entertainments, her beaux, etc. Especially should she avoid seeking
to make an impression by frequent mention of advantageous friends or
circumstances. The greatest observer and commentator upon manners that
ever wrote was Mr. Emerson. In one of his essays he says: "You shall not
enumerate your brilliant acquaintances, nor tell me by their titles what
books you have read. I am to infer that you keep good company by your
good manners and better information; and to infer your reading from the