An Ideal Bachelor

There are those who wold say that a bachelor has no business to be complete; that it is the duty of every young man to marry at the earliest practicable moment and so give over the selfish joys of bacholorhood. But as long as young men in their lamentable desire to be comfortable ï-efuse to look at the matter in that light there is need that they should be duly inatructed in the properties of their position, and what better instructor could they have than the anonymous genius who writes of things "As Seen by Him" in that very fashionablc publication, Vogue? It is he who tells them what "the complete bachelor" should be, and if they are wise they will listen to bis words. All the contingencies which irise in the social life of the bachelor are duly considered. First, there is the matter of his public Wanners, in which mauy men who regard themselves as well bred are woefully deficiënt. They will snioke in the Ktreet, keep women standing on corners while they talk to them, sit while women are standing, carry sticks or urnbrellas at offensive augles, stare women out of countenance at theaters or hotels, and in general make nuisanees of themselves. Now, a bachelor who will do any of these things is wretchedly incomplete. ïhen comea the quostion of clothos. Nothing more distinguishes the gentleman than what he wears. Nor is it enougli, as many do, to be nice in the matter of gloves, shoes or cravats and owe large sums to the tailor. Dressing is not so much a matter of money as a matter of taste. After a man has put his wardrobe in proper condition he may get along remarkably well on a very small yearly sum. Our author does "not disdain to give ecónomical hints, to teil how the tailor around the corner will do perfectly well some things for whieh the "swell" tailor would charge roundly, to explain how to get out of a suit the utmost possible service. Such things are beneath 110 man's attention, thoagh he be a genius or a millionaire. Until the art of dressing properly is uuderstood, the moral progress of society will remam au idle dream. We ueed not add that the man who wears a "made tie" belongs in the outer darkness of barbarism. It is gratifying also to note that the use of the Tuxedo, or house coat, is carnestly recommended. Since every complete bachelor will invariably dresa for dinuer, he will önd in the Tuxedo au ecouomical and easy substitute for the more rigorous full dress coat, and one that can be worn not only at home, but iu informal companies of gentlemen and at the theater or in a public restaurant. We note that our author speaks a good word for the black tie with a Tuxedo, though he does uot absolutely bar a white one. This is a question upon which 110 thoroughly satisf actory ruling has ever been made. For our own part, we think that those occasions whereon a man feels a white tie incumben t also demand a "swallor ail" coat. The toilet is not less important than he dress. Scrupulous care in this respect is eortainly the mark of a complete bachelor. That a man should take lis tab every moming goeswithoiit saymg. At the same time there is no need to insist apon the rigor of the game and say that the water shall be cold. Tepid water is best. "Every man should leam to shave himself. " These are golden words. A barber is occasionally necessaiy no doubt, but there is something offensive to refined sensibilities in the picture of a long row of men in chairs tiaving a part of their toilet performed. Our author says nothing of the habit of having boots blacked in the streef, justLy regarding it as one so bad as to be unspeakable. Patent tooth powders, washes, pomatums and nostrums of every kind are condemned without reserve. This, too, shows good sense. The care of toilet articles is rightly insisted upon. A man cannot be a complete bachelor unless he is welling to take some tronble. The custorn of weariug the hair long is disapproved. No point is too minute for the consideratiou of this thoughtful writer. The etiquette of cards is a matter upon which lamentable ignoraiice is often displayed, and in calling and dining out there are those who show the lack of breeding. The praetice of graspiug or squeezing the hand of a lady is (barring exeeptional circumstances) unadvisable. "A man removes his glove from his right hand on entering the drawing room, and holds this, with his stick and hat, in his lef t. The hat should be at an augle, the top about level with hisnose. " This is important. Bat something more than mere politenèss is required of the complete bachelor. His goodness of heart will come out in his treatment of his 'servants. Thongh he must "exercise an iron will," he must also "encourage them now and then by a kind word. ' ' And once in awhile they must have a holiday or some cast off clothing. They, in their turn, should be "noiseles.-! and automatic. " Sucli things too many young men forget. With this book, however, they caunot go very far astray. They can learn how to behave at dances and at country houses and s,t clubs. If it be objected that on these subjects gentlemen do not need mstruetion, the retort is obvious. Persons who are uot gentlemen have their ambitions and frequently try to betome complete bachelors. And since this is so, let us be gratef til for the mentor who is able to give them so mach excellent advice. - Providïnce Journal. The father of biograpny was Plutarch. Critics are generally agreed that the model biography is that oí Johnson, by Boswell.