PRKSKNTS- THE PROPOSAL. 299 



and affectation be her characteristics ; if she be inconstant in her friend- 

 ships ; Lraiidy and slovenly, rather than neat and scrupulously clean, in 

 attire and personal habits ; then we counsel the gentleman t<> ivtire as 



edily, but as politely, as possible from the pursuit of an object un- 

 worthy of his admiration and love ; nor dread that the lady's friends 

 who must know her better than he can do will call him to account for 

 withdrawing from the field. 



But we will take it for granted that all goes on well ; that the |. 

 are, on sufficient acquaintance, pleased with each other, and the gentle- 

 man is eager to prove the sincerity of his affectionate regard by giving 

 some substantial token of his love and homage to the fair one. This 

 brings us to the question of 



Presents, 



a point on which certain observances of etiquette must not be disregard- 

 ed. A lady, for instance, cannot with propriety accept presents from a 

 gentleman previously to his having made proposals of marriage. She 

 would by so doing incur an obligation at once embarrassing and unbe- 

 coming. Should, however, the gentleman insist on making her a present 

 as some trifling object of jewellery, etc. there must be no secret about 

 it. Let the young lady take an early opportunity of saying to her ad- 

 mirer, in the presence of her father or mother, " I am much obliged to 

 you for that ring (or other trinket, as the case may be) which you kindly 

 red in'- the other day, and which I shall be most happy to accept, if 

 my pan-Fits do not object;" and let her say this in a manner which, 

 while it increases the obligation, will divest it altogether of impropriety, 

 from having been conferred under the sanction of her parents. 



\V, have now reached that stage in the progress of the Courtship, 

 when.- budding affection, having developed into mature growth, cneour- 

 tlic lover to make 



The Proposal, 



\Vhen about to take this step, the .suitor's first diflieulty is hw to get 



^ourable opportunity ; and next, having u r "t the chance, hov ' 

 bis courage up to give utterance to the M declaration." A declaration in 



writing should certainly ! avoided when- the lover ean by any |>nx S ihil- 

 t tie- lad Hut there i this U S() diflieiilt 



that an impatient lover cannot be restrained t'n>m adopting the a._ 



<"./ in declaring bia passion. 



