be taken into account which in many drives
etiquette out of the field, if by etiquette is understood not merely
stiff propriety of action, but politeness in the truest sense of the
word, and doing that which is exactly the right thing to do. Etiquette
rules when to shake hands and when not to do so, when to bow and when
not to bow; but in spite of this knowledge, which is within every one's
reach, there are many mistakes made on this head.

For instance, one does not offer to shake hands when expected to do so;
another offers to shake hands three times; one displays unwarrantable
warmth in shaking hands; another extends two fingers only; one shakes
hands in a limp and uncomfortable manner, and takes the extended hand
merely to drop it; another literally pumps the extended hand, or crushes
the rings into a lady's fingers when shaking hands with her.

* * * * *

=A lady who does not shake hands= when expected to do so is actuated by
one or other of the following reasons--she did not wish to shake hands
with a certain acquaintance, and preferred to bow only, or she was not
aware whether she should have shaken hands or not.

The gentlemen who shake hands with great warmth and _empressement_ are
two distinct individuals; the one is cordial and large-hearted, and has
a friendly grasp for every one--a grasp indicative of kindliness,
geniality, and good fellowship--the other wishes to ingratiate himself
in certain quarters, and loses no opportunity of demonstratively
shaking hands, but no one is deceived by this spurious imitation of
the real thing.

* * * * *

=When a lady gives but two fingers= to people whom she does not care
about, she is always a person who fancies herself, and who feels very
fine; she doubtless is, but her good breeding and her good feeling are
both in question when she takes this method of showing the superiority
of herself and her position over that of other people.

There are other eccentricities indulged in by different people who shake
hands when they should not, and people who do not shake hands when they
should.

It depends upon whom a lady is introduced to, or upon who is introduced
to her, whether she should or should not shake hands. She should not
shake hands on being casually introduced to a person altogether a
stranger to her; but yet there are so many occasions when it is both
proper and correct to shake hands on being in