The Gentlemen's Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness; Being a Complete Guide for a Gentleman's Conduct in All His Relati

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1874 edition. Excerpt: ... Do not be the last to leave the ball room. It is more elegant tc leave early, as staying too late gives others the impression that you do not often have an invitation to a ball, and must "make the most of it." Some gentlemen linger at a private ball until all the ladies have left, and then congregate in the supper-room, where they remain for hours, totally regardless of the fact that they are keeping the wearied host and-his servants from their rest. Never, as you value your reputation as a gentleman of refinement, be among the number of these " hangers on." The author of a recent work on etiquette, published in England, gives the following hints for those who go to balls. He says :-- "When inviting a lady to dance, if she replies very politely, asking to be excused, as she does not wish to dance (' with you,' being probably her mental reservation), a man ought to be satisfied. At all events, he should never press her to dance after one refusal. The set forms which Turveydrop would give for the invitation are too much of the deportment school to be used in practice. If you know a young lady slightly, it is sufficient to say to her, 'May I have the pleasure of dancing this waltz, &c., with you?' or if intimately, 'Will you dance, Miss A--?' The young lady who has refused one gentleman, has no right to accept another for that dance; and young ladies who do not wish to be annoyed, must take care not to accept two gentlemen for the same dance. In Germany such innocent blunders often cause fatal results. Two partners arrive at the same moment to claim the fair one's hand; she Vdws Bhe has not made a mistake; 'was sure sbe was engaged to Herr A--, and not to Herr B--;' Herr B-- is equally certain that she was engaged to him. The awkwardness...** [C:\Users\Microsoft\Documents\Calibre Library]