1. That grace, which is more beautiful than beauty itself.—T.

2. The directions which here follow, are obviously intended for those who profess the Catholic religion; but most of them are also applicable to other denominations of Christians.—T.

3. This refers to the usage in Catholic churches, in which the consecrated or holy water is kept in a vase, appropriated to the purpose, near the entrance and in other parts of the church.—T.

4. These directions are more particularly applicable to Catholic churches in foreign countries, where it is not the general custom, as in the United States, to have pews. The whole floor is an open area, and supplied with chairs; each person, during service takes two, one of which he sits in, and places the other before him to kneel upon. This custom of using chairs, however, is not universal even in Europe; and the author observes, in a note, that it were to be wished that in all parts of France they would adopt the custom observed at Havre, Dieppe, and other cities of Normandy, where, instead of having chairs, the churches are furnished throughout with fixed seats or benches, by which means the service is conducted with much more order and decorum.—T.

5. This latter direction is more particularly applicable to Catholic usage.—T.

6. This is an allusion to the idiom of the French language, and is inapplicable in English.—T.

7. As washing the feet, cutting the nails, &c.

8. Young people who become bald, should not hesitate to have recourse to wigs. Nothing more saddens the appearance, than those bald skulls, which seem always to invite the observations of the anatomist.

9. As to the means of obtaining consideration, in performing the duties appertaining to our station in life, see the following chapters.

10. This has reference, of course, to Catholic countries only.

11. A kind of military cap.

12. These remarks have particular reference to Catholic countries and forms, but may many of them be applied to other denominations.

13. When this accident happens to any one, you must appear not to perceive it.

14. The examples in the original, are the final letters of the words, tabac, sang, estomac. In English, some persons are as scrupulous in the distinct pronunciation of every letter in such words as extra-ordinary, Wed-nes-day, &c.—T.

15. That a reply may be truly pleasing, it is necessary that he who makes it has a right so to do, and that we may quote it without doing him any wrong; otherwise, we should laugh at the reply, and despise the author of it. There are replies which are pleasing in the mouth of a military man, but which would be ridiculous in the mouth of a civil magistrate. A young lady may make lively and brilliant repartees, which would be insupportable in a woman in the decline of life; as the latter might make such as would be unsuitable in a young lady.

16. See page 137.

17. It is not polite, when the presents are pamphlets, to offer those of which you have cut the leaves.

18. In some of the theatres in Paris, this is however allowed.—T.

19. The greater part of the marriage ceremonies here described, are according to the usages of Catholic countries, but some of them are applicable to our own; and it has been thought that it would be interesting to American readers to retain the whole as in the original.—T.

20. These letters are usually duplicates, for the invitation should appear to be given by the parents of both the future couple.

21. Most of the observances which follow, as well as those in the section on marriage, have more particular reference to the forms of the Catholic and Episcopal churches.—T.

22. Several of the particulars which follow, are not observed in this country.—T.

23. It is not the custom among us to dispense with buttons.—T.