obligations of that honor, and then
found that, for personal reasons, they were distasteful to her. She
should not, however, permit herself to fail in one iota of her duty.
The always-remembered disappointment of the bride, or bridegroom, if
either bridesmaid or best man should fail, at a time when life should
be as full of happiness as it possibly could, should more than offset
the pain of even difficult control on the part of the chosen friend,
in order to carry out his or her obligations satisfactorily.

In thousands of minor circumstances the need of absolute self-command
for the sake of social virtues is evident. The man and woman who can
so control themselves, and think only of others, win warm places in
the hearts of their friends.

It is a dreary thing to be always sustaining a sham of any sort.
Sincerity has its pleasure as well as its virtue. One should seek to
be sincere, as perhaps no social virtue is of greater importance than
this. The possibilities of development of character and of the
betterment of social customs depend upon the exercise of this virtue.
For that reason it is well to follow carefully the acknowledged rules
of etiquette, in the hope and expectation of growing into the attitude
of mind which will make them a natural expression of one's self.

"The little observances of social life," says Dr. T. L. Nichols in his
book on "Social Life," "are more important than many people think
them. The outward signs or expressions of any sentiment not only
manifest it to others, but help to keep it active in ourselves. This
is the use of all ceremony and ritualism in religion . . . and the same
principle governs all social ceremonies and observances."

Without unselfishness and a fine consideration for others, the art of
etiquette would be impossible. True etiquette learns no maxims to
practise mechanically. Rather, it learns all the maxims upon which it
may have to draw, and practises them only as the considerate heart
sees an opportunity and desires to embrace it.

Personal appearance is next to character in importance. The most
important factors in this, with the average person, are not those that
Nature alone is responsible for, but those that the individual himself
is alone responsible for. Beauty is a pleasant thing, and not to be
despised, although beauty alone is of little worth. The social
conquests of history have not been confined to the possessors of
beauty, and there have been many notab