Were the unmannerly habit of turning the leaves of a book with the moist thumb or finger indulged in by all readers, the probabilities are that numberless diseases would thus be transmitted from one person to another.
It argues an enormous amount of self-conceit in man or woman when he or she calmly refuses to conform to rules of etiquette.

In plain language, we are none of us in ourselves _pur et simple_ so agreeable as to be tolerable without the refinement and polish of manners upon which every "artist of the beautiful" should insist in her own house.
Too many mothers and housekeepers think that "anything will do for home people." It is our duty to keep ourselves and our children "up" in "the thing" in table and parlor manners, dress and the etiquette of visiting, letter-writing, etc.

Even among well-born people there are certain small tokens of good breeding which are too often neglected.
One of these is what a college boy recently described in my hearing as the "bread-and-butter letter." At my inquiring look he explained that it was "the note of thanks a fellow writes to his hostess after having made a visit at her house--don't you know ?" This note should be written as soon as possible after the guest returns to her home, even if she has been entertained for only a night.

In it she informs her hostess of her safe arrival, and thanks her for her kind hospitality.

A few lines are all that is necessary.
It seems incredible that in decent society anyone should be so little acquainted with the requirements of the drawing-room as to enter a lady's parlor, and stop to speak to another person before first seeking his hostess and paying her his respects.