10. Run not in the streets, neither go too slowly nor with mouth open. Go not shaking your arms, stamping, or shuffling; nor pull up your stockings in the street. Walk not upon the toes, nor in a dancing or skipping manner, nor yet with measured steps. Strike not the heels together, nor stoop when there is no occasion.

11. Eat not in the streets, nor in the house out of

season.

12. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone thanR in bad company.

13. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for 'tis a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all causes of passion, admit reason to govern.

14. Speak not of doleful things in a time of mirth or at the table; speak not of melancholy things, as death and wounds; and if others mention them, change if you can the discourse. Tell not your dreams, but to your intimate friend.

15. A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities, his riches, titles, virtue, or kindred; but he need not speak meanly of himself.

16. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest. Scoff at none, although they give occasion.

17. Detract not from others, neither be excessive in commending.

18. Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors.

19. Gaze not at the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others.

20. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language.

21. Think before you speak. Pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

22. When another speaks, be attentive yourself and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not nor prompt him without desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

23. While you are talking, point not with your finger at him of whom you discourse, nor approach too near him to whom you talk, especially to his face.

24. Treat with men at fit times about business, and whisper not in the company of others.

25. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author always. A secret discover not (reveal not). 26. Be not tedious in discourse or in reading, unless you find the company pleased therewith.

27. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

28. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.

29. In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion; and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.

30. Be not tedious in discourse; make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse.

31. Drink not, nor talk, with your mouth full, neither gaze about you while you are drinking.

32. Be not angry at table, whatever happens; and if you have reason to be so, show it not. Put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers; for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

33. When you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously, and with words of reverence. Honor and obey

your natural parents, although they be poor.

34. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

35. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

36. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

37. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud, but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face, and turn aside.

38. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop.

39. When you sit down, keep your feet firm and even, without putting one on the other or crossing them.

40. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for the doing of it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them, unless desired, or give your opinion of them unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

41. The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

CHAPTER XI

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS AND OBSERVANCES

-It is a very

General Holidays and School Celebrations. common saying that Americans, as a people, have too few holidays; that the routine of our lives is not sufficiently broken by periodical celebrations and observances of a national character. We enter generally and heartily into the spirit of Thanksgiving and Independence days, deriving much good from them; and it is claimed that there should be more such days in our calendar. Certain State holidays have been instituted within recent years, with a view to supplying this supposed need. It is difficult for one part of a community engaged in business or labor to arrange for a holiday unless the observance be general, since the cessation of one form of industry is apt to cause serious inconvenience to others; for the activities of the business world are closely related one to another.

The school, however, is not so connected with the industrial world as to be limited to the observance of general holidays and commemorative occasions. In the school, the celebration of certain days may involve no real loss to the school work, but only a pleasing change in its form. An alternation of different forms of labor is always restful, and may be very profitable. Often the school celebration affords an opportunity for the particular form of training which the pupil most needs. The exercises of the celebration or observance may be of various length, sometimes taking the place of a single recitation, and at other times lasting through several class periods.

Authors' Birthdays. The celebration of the birthdays of notable American authors by appropriate exercises of a special character in the public schools has been of incalculable good. Such variations from the routine of the school lend a charm of variety to the pupil's work, while (since they are easily arranged, and require little time for their preparation) they do not seriously interrupt or detract from the regularity of study and recitation. The influence of these school celebrations is to develop in the pupils a strong spirit of patriotism and of nationality, as well as to lead them to a better acquaintance with, and appreciation of, our literature.

Such occasions are exceedingly interesting, and have a tendency to enlist to a greater degree the attention of the community to the school work. Generally they attract to the schoolroom many who would not otherwise visit it; and none can fail to derive new inspiration from them. While the most enjoyable and profitable exercises of this character are those of the high schools of cities, and of the advanced grades in the rural schools, the observance of authors' birthdays may be extended, in simpler and briefer form, to the lower grades in all schools. Even the smallest pupil will be interested in an anecdote relating to a great American. No single programme of exercises will prove applicable alike to all grades and to all schools. The teacher who prepares the programme for the more advanced grades should arrange it for the general participation of his pupils. A few pieces of music may be rendered by individual pupils, or by quartets, but the greater number of songs should be sung by the school. A few essays of some length may be prepared, but brief recitations or anecdotes should be given by the majority of the pupils.

Presentations of Portraits. It is desirable that schools be supplied with pictures, and portraits of American authors are especially appropriate for this purpose. Pictures are generally procured for schoolrooms by voluntary contributions of money in small amounts. No better occasion for