requires no more than a coolness of thinking, and a mind above being carried away by prejudices or feelings. The juror is to remember that it is the jury that is the real judge in the case, not the judges who sit on the bench. Keeping this in view, it is one of the chief qualities requisite in a jury to maintain its proper dignity and honour inviolate, nevertheless with all courtesy, and to act with firmness in the execution of its important function. Besides deliberating dispassionately on the evidence presented, it is the duty of the juror to be totally regardless of every consideration but that of justice. He is neither to regard the rank of the culprit nor of the injured party. In a court of justice, all men sink to an equality. It is also the duty of the juror, after forming his conscientious opinion, not to be coerced, or flattered, or counselled to adopt a different opinion. He is invested with a solemn trust, and that trust he must preserve with scrupulous care, as it concerns the best interests of society.

P

PRIVATE DUTIES-MANNERS-ETIQUETTE.

I

T is tolerably evident that no one can live entirely for himself. On all of us are imposed certain well-known duties, not only as regards public, but private relations. It is not enough that we be dutiful as subjects or citizens, but that we act under a consciousness of moral and social obligation. Can we call in question that we have duties to perform as members of a family circle, as neighbours, as parents and children, as masters and servants? Besides, towards all we are bound to exercise that degree of politeness which tends to promote harmony in social intercourse.

Usually, the private duties most difficult to be performed with satisfaction, are those of family relationship. Familiarity breeds contempt, says the proverb; and how frequently do we see that the liberties which relations take with each other, engender petty misunderstandings and hostilities of a most unpleasant nature. Whether these misunderstandings are part of an ordination of nature to promote the dispersion of mankind, might form a curious question in speculative philosophy. The hostilities of relations are at all events odious and unchristian, and can no more afford satisfaction to the parties concerned, than they can command public approbation. Where there appears a tendency to contentions, we would recommend separation and removal to distant places, as a means of soothing irritation, and arousing the better feelings of our nature.

As regards general intercourse with the world, the rule of good-manners-not to say the injunction of morality—is so to

act and speak as not to give offence. Obedience to this rule would appear to be simple; yet it is not unattended with difficulties. We can give pain in so many ways-by being boisterous, noisy, talkative, saucy, pert, vain, self-conceited, and opinionative-by speaking on subjects disagreeable to the listener, by speaking too much of one's self, by staring rudely, by helping ourselves to things at table, without any regard to the rights or wants of others-by, in short, thinking of no one's comfort but our own-that we require to be continually on our guard, lest we give offence, and so be hated and despised.

Thus, in order to render yourself agreeable, you need to give up a little of your natural independence, and conform to the arrangements prescribed by good-breeding. One of the most observable features in the conduct of a well-bred person is the doing and saying everything with ease, quietness, and decorum. He allows nothing to ruffle his temper, or to discompose the quietude of his behaviour. He enters a room quietly, though by no means stealthily. He sits down quietly, rises up quietly, speaks with suavity and gentleness, and conducts himself in every other particular in a manner calculated to please. These traits of breeding are remarkable in good society in England, in which the acquisition of repose of manner seems to be a result of the most careful study. Among those who have not attained this finish of manner, and who are perhaps ignorant of it as an ingredient in social intercourse, you may remark a flutter and boisterousness, with a want of self-possession.

Look at the conduct of an ill-bred man. He enters the apartment with noise, sits down and rises up with noise; he seems unable or unwilling to do anything quietly or unobtrusively. When he sets down a chair, he knocks it against the floor; when he sits at table, he makes a noise with his knife and fork; the blowing of his nose, his sneezing, and his coughing, are all offensively noisy. He rings the bell with

violence, slams doors with violence, and in walking across a room or along a passage, he seems to be regardless of what noises he makes. Perhaps no ill is actually meant by this boisterous manner; but can heedlessness be deemed a proper excuse for giving so much annoyance.*

Besides being noisy, the ill-bred man is for the most part easily discomposed. A little thing will put him about. Loud exclamations of surprise, angry bursts of passion, and perhaps harsh imprecations, testify the irritability of his badly regulated mind. Another peculiarity of an ill-bred man is the uncouthness of many of his movements. Feeling abashed, without any good reason, he blushes, shuffles, and altogether seems to be in a pitiable condition.

Spitting is utterly repugnant to good-manners, and is accordingly never practised by well-bred persons. The handkerchief is always employed. Be careful on this point.

It is improper to read books or letters in company unless with permission to do so. By taking up a book when a person calls, you convey the impression of being uncivil to your visitor.

Hastening to take the best seat at table, or the seat nearest

* A writer in a New York newspaper (1857), refers as follows to the noisy habits of some persons in American hotels: Every male or female inhabitant of a room seems to consider it as a duty toward himself, toward his neighbour, toward those occupying a room below him, and toward society in general, to make as much noise as possible. Every one handles as roughly as he can everything within his reach; doors, keys, locks, blinds, windows, sashes, stools, tables, and his trunks. Neither travellers nor waiters refuse themselves the pleasure of treading on the floor as rudely and as heavily as possible, far outdoing shod elephants-if elephants can be shod. Slippers are out of use, and the traveller retiring to his room enjoys the luxury of tramping as long as possible with his heavy boots over the head of the victim trying to sleep in the room below. In one of the great firstclass hotels, I counted once, during a sleepless night, 140 explosions of slammed doors.'

the fire; engrossing a newspaper, to the exclusion of every one else; rising abruptly, and hurrying out of the room; looking at your watch, as if hinting to visitors that it was time to depart; blowing on food to cool it; leaning your hands or elbows on the table at meals; staring fixedly at any one; contradicting and affecting to set people right in conversation, or otherwise interfering with ill-timed remarks-are all acts of vulgarity and rudeness.

In endeavouring to avoid giving offence to those about you, learn to listen with consideration and patience to the person who is addressing you, particularly if the speaker be a woman. Let your answers be couched in civil obliging language; and, although you have reason to disbelieve that which you hear, do not contradict the speaker abruptly or warmly. Merely observe, that what is said 'is remarkable;' 'that it may be so, but you heard otherwise;' or 'there may be some mistake in the common report;' and so forth. Never, at anyrate, flatly contradict, for that would give offence to one who most likely means no harm, and who might be convinced of his error by your politely explaining your reasons for thinking differently from him. Speak with ease and without affectation; do not hum and haw and stammer, or appear to be seeking for fine words wherewith to embellish your discourse. A simple, straightforward form of speech, using the words you are best acquainted with, and without any desire to shew off, is always the most commendable, and will be the most pleasing. Avoid, also, the use of those vulgar expressions, which you hear continually in the mouths of under-bred persons; such as 'says she,'' says he,' 'you understand,' and 'you know.'

It is true that all have not the same ability to speak elegantly or well; but all have it in their power to please by simplicity of manner and purity of language. It is quite possible to render your conversation acceptable, although you use very common words. One of the principal means of pleasing in discourse,