How to Behave: A Pocket Manual of Republican Etiquette, and Guide to Correct Personal Habits / Embracing an Exposition of the Principles of Good Manners; Useful Hints on the Care of the Person, Eating, Drinking, Exercise, Habits, Dress, Self-culture, and Behavior at Home; the Etiquette of Salutations, Introductions, Receptions, Visits, Dinners, Evening Parties, Conversation, Letters, Presents, Weddings, Funerals, the Street, the Church, Places of Amusement, Traveling, Etc., with Illustrative Anecdotes, a Chapter on Love and Courtship, and Rules of Order for Debating Societies

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26597

Title

How to Behave: A Pocket Manual of Republican Etiquette, and Guide to Correct Personal Habits / Embracing an Exposition of the Principles of Good Manners; Useful Hints on the Care of the Person, Eating, Drinking, Exercise, Habits, Dress, Self-culture, and Behavior at Home; the Etiquette of Salutations, Introductions, Receptions, Visits, Dinners, Evening Parties, Conversation, Letters, Presents, Weddings, Funerals, the Street, the Church, Places of Amusement, Traveling, Etc., with Illustrative Anecdotes, a Chapter on Love and Courtship, and Rules of Order for Debating Societies

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Samuel R. Wells presents a comprehensive guide to American etiquette, covering personal habits, dress, conversation, and social observances. This manual emphasizes that true politeness stems from benevolence and self-command rather than mere arbitrary forms, offering practical advice for navigating domestic life, public spaces, and formal occasions with grace and propriety.

Summary up to 500 words

In *How to Behave*, Samuel R. Wells presents a comprehensive manual designed to cultivate true American gentility, arguing that good manners are not merely arbitrary forms but the flowering of philanthropy and the spontaneous recognition of human solidarity. Grounded in justice and benevolence rather than rigid convention, the work serves as both a practical handbook for the young and a philosophical treatise on the relationship between morals and social conduct. Wells asserts that while specific etiquette rules vary by time and place, the core spirit of courtesy remains eternal, rooted in the Golden Rule: treating others as one wishes to be treated. The text is meticulously organized to address every aspect of social life. It begins with personal habits, emphasizing that cleanliness, proper care of the person, and moderation in eating and drinking are social duties. The manual extends to dress, advocating for fitness and simplicity over affectation, and self-culture, which includes the cultivation of language, posture, and movement. Wells warns against snobbery and the imitation of foreign manners that do not fit American social conditions, urging readers to imitate nature instead. A significant portion of the book details the etiquette of daily observances, from the nuances of introductions and correspondence to the protocols of hosting dinners and attending evening parties. Wells provides specific guidance for dancing, table manners, and the conduct of guests, emphasizing the host's duty to ensure all guests, including those who do not dance, are included and comfortable. The text also covers behavior in various public spheres, including the street, church, places of amusement, and during travel, where gentlemen are expected to protect and assist ladies. Wells dedicates a chapter to love and courtship, advising on sincerity, the proper age for marriage, and the conduct of engagements, while another section addresses parliamentary etiquette for debating societies. He further explores annual festivals like Christmas and Thanksgiving, noting that these occasions call for genuine friendliness and unbounded hospitality rather than mere ceremony. Throughout the work, Wells draws upon the wisdom of figures like Lord Chesterfield and La Bruyère to illustrate that while the letter of etiquette may change, the spirit must remain alive with kindness. Ultimately, the book aims to build a truly American school of politeness where the comfort of others is prioritized, ensuring that manners reflect a benevolent heart rather than a desire for social superiority.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26597.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26597.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 09:32 UTC

Categories

• Etiquette
• Social Behavior