We address a married lady, or widow, as Madam, or by name, as Missis or Mistress Jones. In answering a. question, we contract the Madam to ma'am - as "yes, ma'am, no, ma'am, very fine day, ma'am.'

2868. A single lady, of a certain age, may also be addressed as Madam.

2869. A young lad), if the eldest of the family, unmarried, is entitled to the sirname, as Miss Smith, while her younger sisters are called Miss Mary, Miss Julia, etc. The term "Miss," used by itself, is very inelegant.

2870. It is expected that gentlemen will, upon every proper occasion, offer civilities to ladies of their acquaintance, and especially to those for whom they have a particular attachment.

2871. A gentleman meeting a lady at an evening party, is struck with her appearance. Ascertaining that she if not engaged, which he may do from some acquaintance, he takes some opportunity of saying,

"Miss Ellen, will you honor me, by accepting my escort home, to-night?" or,

"Miss Ellen, shall I have the pleasure of seeing you home ?" or,

"Miss Ellen, make me happy by se-ecting me for your cavalier;" or,

"Miss Ellen, shall I have the pleasure of protecting you ?"

The last, of course, as the others, may be half in fun, for these little matters do not require much seriousness. The lady replies, if engaged,

"Excuse me, sir, I am already provided for;" or, pleasantly,

"How unfortunate ! If you had been five minutes earlier, I might have availed myself of your services;" or, if disengaged,

"Thank you, sir, I shall be obliged fur your attention;" or,

"With pleasure, sir, if my company will pay you for your trouble;" or, any other pleasant way of saying that she accepts, and is grateful for the attention proffered to her.

2872. The preliminaries settled, which should be as early as possible, his attention should be public. He should assist her in putting on her cloak and shawl, and offer her his arm before leaving the room.

2873. Preliminaries of Courtship.

2874. There is no reason why the passion of love should be wrapped up in mystery. It would prevent much and complicated misery in the world, if all young persons understood it.

2875. According to the usages of society, it is the custom for the man to propose marriage, and for the female to refuse or accept the offer, as she may think fit. There ought to be a perfect freedom of the will in both parties.

2876. When a young man admires a lady, and thinks her society necessary to his happiness, it is proper, before committing himself, or inducing the object of his admiration to da so, to apply to her parents or guardians for per mission to address her; this is a becoming mark of respect, and the circumstances must be very peculiar which would justify a deviation from this course.

2877. Everything secret and unacknowledged is to be avoided, as the reputation of a clandestine intercourse is always more or less injurious through life. The romance evaporates, but the memory of indiscretion survives.

2878. Young men frequently amuse themselves by playing with the feelings of young women. They visit them often, they walk with them, they pay them divers attentions, and after giving them an idea that they are attached to them, they either leave them, or, what is worse, never come to an explanation of their sentiments. This is to act the character of a dangler a character truly dastardly and infamous.

2879. How to Commence a Court-ship.* - A gentleman having met a lady at social parties, danced with her at balls, accompanied her to and from church, may desire to become more intimately acquainted. In short, you wish to commence a formal courtship. This is a case for palpitations, but forget not that "faint heart never won fair lady." What will you do ? Why, taking some good opportunity, say,

"Miss Wilson, since I became acquainted with you, I have been every day more pleased with your society, and I hope you will allow me to enjoy more of it - if you are not otherwise engaged, will you permit me to visit you on Sunday evening?"

The lady will blush, no doubt - she may tremble a little, but if your proposition is acceptable to her she may say,

"I am grateful for your good opinion, and shall be happy to see you."

Or if her friends have not been consulted, as they usually are before matters proceed so far, she may say:

* See the "'Laws of Love," published be pick & Fitzgerald. price 25 cent*

"I am sensible of your kindness, sir; but I cannot consent to a private interview, without consulting my family."

Or she may refuse altogether, and in such a case, should do so with every regard to the feelings of the gentleman, and, if engaged, should say frankly:

"I shall be happy to see you at all times as a friend, but I am not at liberty to grant a private interview."

2880. As, in all these affairs, the lady is the respondent, there is little necessity for any directions in regard to her conduct, as a "Yes" ever so softly whispered, is a sufficient affirmative, and as her kindness of heart will induce her to soften as much as possible her "No."

To tell a lady who has granted the preliminary favors, that you love her better than life, and to ask her to name the happy day, are matters of nerve, rather than form, and require no teaching. (See No. 320.)

2881. Love Letters.

2882. A gentleman is struck with the appearance of a lady, and is desirous of her acquaintance, but there are no means within his reach of obtaining an introduction, and he has no friends who are acquainted with herself or her family. In this dilemma there is no alternative but a letter.

2883. There is, besides, a delicacy, a timidity, a nervousness in love, which makes men desire some mode of communication rather than the speech, which, in such cases, too often fails them. In short, there are reasons enough for writing - but when the enamored youth has set about penning a letter to the object of his passions, how difficult does he find it! How many efforts does he make before he succeeds in writing one to suit him !

2884. It may be doubted whether as many reams of paper have ever been used in writing letters upon all other subjects, as have been consumed upon epistles of love; and there is probably no man living who has not at sometime written, or desired to write, some missive which might explain his passions to the amiable being of whom he was enamored and it has been the same, go far as can be judged, in all the generations of the world.

2885. Affairs of the heart - the deli cate and interesting preliminaries of marriage, are oftener settled by the pen than in any other manner.

2886. To write the words legibly, to spell them correctly, to point them properly, to begin every sentence and every proper name with a capital letter, every one is supposed to learn at school.

2887. To give examples of letters would be useless and absurd, as each particular case must necessarily require a widely different epistle, and the judgment and feelings of the party writing must be left to control both the style and substance of the letter.

2888. For a love letter, good paper is indispensable. When it can be procured, that of costly quality, gold-edged, perfumed, or ornamented in the French style, may be properly used. The letter should be carefully enveloped, and nicely sealed with a fancy wafer - not a common one, of course, where any other can be had; or what is better, plain or fancy sealing-wax. As all persons are more or less governed by first impressions and externals, the whole affair should be as neat and elegant as possible.