s off his
overcoat if his call is to be prolonged. Or, he may take them all with him
into the drawing room if his call is to be brief. In any event, it is his
business to dispose of them according to his own pleasure.

RULES FOR PRECEDENCE.

A man precedes a woman in going down-stairs and follows her in going up.
This is that he may be in readiness to catch her should she fall.

He allows a woman to precede him on entering or leaving a room, and should
open the door for her.

On entering a hotel dining-room the man may precede the lady to the table
assigned them, on the occasion of their first meal, standing until she is
seated. Afterwards, he may follow her as the head-waiter leads the way.
Sometimes he permits her to precede him in the first case.

The question is sometimes asked who should follow the usher on entering
church or theatre. The rule above stated obtains. The woman follows the
usher; the man follows her.

The man allows the lady to enter the carriage first, but descends before
her that he may assist her to alight. The same rule prevails in regard to
entering and leaving a street car, etc.

ABOUT SMOKING.

The old rule of good manners: "A gentleman does not smoke in the presence
of ladies," is many times violated in these modern times. There is a story
of an elderly woman who, being asked if smoke was offensive to her,
replied: "I do not know. No gentleman has ever smoked in my presence." The
woman of today is more likely to answer "Oh, dear no! I love the odor of a
good cigar." The truth is the cigar has become such a constant and
apparently necessary adjunct to a man that to banish it is in effect to
banish the man. And women prefer to endure the smoke rather than have the
man absent himself. There are very few cafes and restaurants where men do
not conclude their repast with a good cigar, even when entertaining
ladies.

[764 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Where Not to Smoke.--Nevertheless, there are times and places when and
where a man should not smoke. When he is about to meet a lady he knows he
removes his cigar before removing his hat and bowing. If he wishes to join
the lady, walking a short distance with her, he throws away his cigar
before doing so. He does not smoke, when driving with a lady, unless
possibly in the country. He should not smoke when walking with her--but he
often does, with her full consent and permission. In fact, women, as has
been said, are responsible for men's lapse