There were doubtless certain rules and maxims for the bow as there
were for mathematics--various motions to be observed in the making
of it, of which Barnabas confessed to himself his utter ignorance.
What then was a bow? Hereupon, bethinking him of the book in his
pocket, he drew it out, and turning to a certain page, began to
study the "stiff-legged-gentleman" with a new and enthralled interest.
Now over against this gentleman, that is to say, on the opposite page,
he read these words:--

"THE ART OF BOWING."

"To know how, and when, and to whom to bow,
is in itself an art. The bow is, indeed, an
all-important accomplishment,--it is the
'Open Sesame' of the 'Polite World.' To bow
gracefully, therefore, may be regarded as
the most important part of a gentlemanly
deportment."

"Hum!" said Barnabas, beginning to frown at this; and yet, according
to the title-page, these were the words of a "Person of Quality."

"To bow gracefully,"--the Person of Quality
chattered on,--"the feet should be primarily
disposed as in the first position of dancing."

Barnabas sighed, frowning still.

"The left hand should be lifted airily and laid
upon the bosom, the fingers kept elegantly spread.