never before seen, we should certainly imitate them also in
kissing our _intimate_ male acquaintances. If, however, you
ought only to bow to a new acquaintance, you surely should do
more to old ones. If you meet an intimate friend fifty times
in a morning, give your hand every time,--an observance of
propriety, which, though worthy of universal adoption, is in
this country only followed by the purists in politeness. The
requisitions of etiquette, if they should be obeyed at all,
should be obeyed fully. This decent formality prevents
acquaintance from being too distant, while, at the same time,
it preserves the "familiar" from becoming "vulgar." They may
be little things, but

"These little things are great to little men."

Goldsmith.

CHAPTER IV. THE DRAWING-ROOM. COMPANY. CONVERSATION.

The grand object for which a gentleman exists, is to excel in
company. Conversation is the mean of his distinction,--the
drawing-room the scene of his glory.

When you enter a drawing-room, where there is a ball or a
party, you salute the lady of the house before speaking to
any one else. Even your most intimate friends are enveloped
in an opaque atmosphere until you have made your bow to your
entertainer. We must take occasion here to obelize a custom
which prevails too generally in this country. The company
enter the back door of the back parlour, and the mistress of