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Good morning. Well, Good whatever time of day you receive or purchase your paper or are reading this online. Enough said about that.

Today’s Write Again” is about a topic I think you have probably really been hoping for, feel a need for: “Manners and Customs of Polite Society.”

Joking, folks. That is the title of the book, however, from which I drew the material for today’s scratchings. Stick with me now.The sub-title of the book is “The Rules of Etiquette for All Occasions and Forming a Complete Guide to Self-Culture in

Conversation, Dress, Deportment, Correspondence, the Care of Children and the Home.”

Is that a catchy title or what? Plus, ambitious too, don’t you think?

The author of this book was “Maud C. Cook, the Well-Known and Popular Author.”

Just inside, on the first page is inscribed “To Nellie Arthur Miles From Mama With Love. Christmas 1898.” Sally’s grandmother, Nellie Miles Paul, some may remember me writing about, was a marvelous poet. She had a wonderful talent for writing, and she was prodigious in her almost inimitable style of verse.

Let me, friends, share with you just a few of the topics addressed on the two Contents pages, then perhaps a snippet or two from one of them. Or not.

So. Here goes: The Essence of Etiquette, Introductions and Salutations, Art of Conversation, Visiting Cards, Visiting Customs, Invitations, Formal and Informal, Acceptances and Regrets, Etiquette of Courtship and Marriage, and Weddings, plus many, many more topics.

I found the Rules of Etiquette were written originally for the guidance of women but they are equally applicable to the needs of men. Just a few: “Learn to govern yourself and to be gentle and patient. Never speak or act in anger.

Remember that, valuable as is the gift of speech, silence is often more valuable. Never retort a sharp or angry word. It is the second word that makes the quarrel. Beware of first disagreement. Learn to say kind and pleasant things when opportunity offers. Avoid moods and fits of sulkiness.” Most of these are just good old rules of common sense. Now can I remember these rules . . . if a certain situation should arise? I’m not so sure.

However, should any of you, or any of your family, need advice on what to do and/or how to comport oneself in just about any situation, we will be quite happy to pass along some very, very old advice. Free of charge.

Now, what makes me think you’re not going to take us up on this offer! Take care, now.