This section is from the book "Manual Of Useful Information", by J. C Thomas. Also available from Amazon: Manual of useful Information.
Consider what route you intend taking when you are contemplating a journey, and decide definitely upon it. Go to the ticket office of the road and procure a time-table, where you will find the hour for leaving, together with names of stations on the road, etc.
When you intend taking a sleeping-berth, secure your ticket for same a day or two before you intend starting, so as to obtain a desirable location. A lower berth in the center of the car is always the most comfortable, as you escape the jar of the wheels and drafts from the opening door.
Take as little baggage as possible, and see that your trunks are strong and securely fastened. A good, stout leather strap is a safeguard against bursting locks.
In checking your baggage, look to the checks yourself, to make sure the numbers correspond. Having once received your check, you need not concern yourself further about your baggage. The company is responsible for its safe delivery It is a wise precaution to have your name and address carefully written upon any small article of baggage, such as satchel, umbrella, duster, etc., so that in case you leave them in the car the railway employes may know where to send them.
An overcoat of package lying upon a seat is an indication that the seat is taken and the owner has only left temporarily. It would therefore be rude in you to remove the articles and occupy the seat.
It is only courteous for a gentleman, seeing a lady looking for a seat, to offer the one beside him, as she scarcely likes to seat herself beside him without such invitation, although she will, of course, if there are no entirely vacant seats, do so in preference to standing.
A courteous gentleman will also relinquish his place to two ladies, or a gentleman and lady who are together, and seek other accommodations. Such a sacrifice always receives its reward in grateful admiration of his character.
Ladies traveling alone, when addressed in a courteous manner by gentlemen, should reply politely to the remark; and in long journeys it is even allowable to enter into conversation without the formality of an introduction. But a true lady will always know how to keep the conversation from bordering on familiarity, and by a quiet dignity and sudden hauteur will effectually check any attempt at presumption on the part of her strange acquaintance.
Always consult the comfort of others when traveling. You should not open either door or window in a railway coach without first ascertaining if it will be agreeable to those near enough to be affected by it. Ladies, in particular, should remember that they have not chartered the whole coach, but only paid for a small fraction of it, and be careful not to monopolize the dressing room for two or three hours at a stretch, while half a dozen or more are waiting outside to arrange their toilets.
Genteel travelers will always carry their own toilet articles, and not depend on the public brush and comb.
A lady will avoid over-dressing in traveling. Silks and velvets, laces and jewelry are terribly out of place on a railroad train. The appointments of the traveler may be as elegant as you please, but they should be distinguished by exceeding plainness and quietness of tone. Some ladies have an idea that any old thing is good enough to travel in, and so look exceedingly shabby on the train.
 
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