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24. In coughing, or sneezing, make as little noise as possible.

25. If you cannot avoid yawning, shut your mouth, by your hand or handkerchief before it, turning the face aside.

26. Sit not with your knees widely apart.

27. Turn not your back to any, but place yourself, so that none may be behind you.

28. Read not letters, books, or other writings in company, unless there be necessity, and you ask leave.

29. Touch not, nor look upon the books or writings of any one, unless the owner invite or desire you, nor without liberty.

30. Come not near, when another reads a letter, or any other paper.

31. Let your countenance be modestly cheerful, neither laughing or frowning.

32. To look upon one in company, and immediately whisper to another is very ill manners.

33. When you treat a company with drink, fruit or food, always treat the elders of the company first; or if strangers are present, give first to them.

SECTION VII.

Behavior in Conversation.

1. "Among superiors, speak not until spoken to, or asked to speak."

2. "Hold not your hand, or any thing else to your mouth when you speak."

3. "Come not very near the person you speak to, lest your breath be offensive to them."

4. "Look not boldly in the face of your superiors while speaking, neither look some other way, but towards them, with a modest diffidence."

5. "If your superiors speak to you while you sit, stand up, before you give an answer."

6. "Speak neither very loud, nor too low."

7. "Speak clearly, not stammering, nor drawling." 8. "Answer not one that is speaking to you, until he is done speaking."

9. "Children should strive not with superiors, in arguments, or discourse, but easily submit your opinion to their assertions."

10. "If children should hear a superior speak any thing wherein they know he is mistaken, it is ill manners to correct, or contradict him, or to grin, or jeer at the hearing of it; but it should be passed over without notice, or interruption."

11. "In speaking to superiors, speak not without some title of respect, which is due to him to whom you speak, or, if he have a title, neglect not to use it."

12. "Mention not frivolous, or little things, among grave persons, or superiors."

13. "If your superior drawls, or hesitates in his words, pretend not to help him out, or to prompt him."

14. "Come not very near two who are conversing,

or speaking in secret, neither ask them what they converse upon."

15. "When your superiors speak to any other person, one side of yourself, speak not, nor hearken to them."

16. "If any immodest, or obscene thing be spoken in your hearing, smile not, but settle your countenance, as though you did not hear it."

17. "Boast not in discourse, of your wit, or doings." 18. “Laugh not at your own story, wit, or jest in any thing."

19. “Speaking of any distant person, it is rude and unmannerly to point at him."

20. "Be not over earnest, in talking, to justify your own sayings."

21. "Use not any contemptuous or reproachful language to any person, though he be very mean or inferior."

22. "Let your words be modest, about things which concern only yourself."

23. "Speak not over the words of a superior, that asks you a question, or talks with you."

SECTION VIII.

Behavior to Strangers.

1. Always treat strangers with civility and kindness; be careful to give them correct information, whenever

they enquire of you the way or distance to any place. Never be fond of asking their names, what their business is, where they are going, and such like questions; for if you do, they may see at once that you are not well bred.

2. Never stand and gaze at strangers; nor run to get out of their sight when they are coming towards you. It is very ill manners indeed, to stare and gaze at spectators, in the time of public worship.

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3. Never laugh and sneer at strangers, because they appear singular.

4. Never go to the windows, nor stand in the doors to gaze at strangers when they are passing by. Be peculiarly guarded if the person looks or acts odd; for such persons often have as much wit as any; and if they see you gazing at them, they will readily suppose it is on account of their singularity from the rest of mankind; and perhaps will take the liberty to teach you good manners, by giving you a joke, or by shaming you in some way or other. We will here relate an instance of this kind.

5. There was a man riding by a house one day, who, from his infancy, had a very peculiar infirmity. His head, neck, and arms, were almost continually in motion, twitching in various directions; so that it made him appear very odd. This attracted the attention of the people in the house, and they all flocked to the doors and windows to behold the sight. The man readily supposed that they were gazing at him, on the account of his singularity, and thus cunningly

admonished them. He turned his horse short about, and rode up to the house and asked, if any body had died out of that house lately. He was answered that there had not. He replied, "I thought there was not any missing;

and immediately rode off, leaving the people to swallow the bitter pill as well as they could.

6. On entering a company where there are strangers, if at home, it is proper to address strangers before they do you, as a token of warm reception; but children, should always wait to be spoken to, by their superiors, whether strangers, or otherwise.

7. When addressed by a person with a compliment of enquiry after your health, &c., &c., always answer, looking at the person thus addressing you, and then return the compliment of enquiry, unless others of the company, have made the same enquiry before you; in which case, you should not repeat it, but evade the expression, by telling them, you are glad to see them, or some expression of welcome, or delight with their presence.

8. But, on returning a compliment, always call their name first, addressing them by their title, if they have one, if not, by the title of brother, sister, friend or neighbor, as the case may be. Thus, if a person speaks to me, asking how I do, I answer, and return the compliment, by saying thus, Elder Rufus, how do you do? or brother William, how do you do?' and not, How do you do Elder Rufus? which sounds improper; but much depends on the tone, which should be mild and pleasant.

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9. When addressing gospel relations, it is proper to

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