12426 - Notepad - University of Macau Library
12426 - Notepad - University of Macau Library
12426 - Notepad - University of Macau Library
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all-room.<br />
<strong>12426</strong><br />
Bear in mind that all _Casino_ habits are to be scrupulously avoided<br />
in a private ball-room. It is an affront to a highly-bred lady to hold<br />
her hand behind you, or on your hip, when dancing a round dance. We<br />
have seen even aristocratic young men <strong>of</strong> the "fast" genus commit these<br />
unpardonable <strong>of</strong>fences against taste and decorum.<br />
Never forget a ball-room engagement. It is the greatest neglect and<br />
slight that a gentleman can <strong>of</strong>fer to a lady.<br />
At the beginning and end <strong>of</strong> a quadrille the gentleman bows to his<br />
partner, and bows again on handing her to a seat.<br />
After dancing, the gentleman may <strong>of</strong>fer to conduct the lady to the<br />
refreshment-room.<br />
Should a lady decline your hand for a dance, and afterwards stand<br />
up with another partner, you will do well to attribute her error to<br />
either forgetfulness or ignorance <strong>of</strong> the laws <strong>of</strong> etiquette. Politeness<br />
towards your host and hostess demands that you should never make any<br />
little personal grievance the ground <strong>of</strong> discomfort or disagreement.<br />
A gentleman conducts his last partner to supper; waits upon her till<br />
she has had as much refreshment as she desires, and then re-conducts<br />
her to the ball-room.<br />
However much pleasure you may take in the society <strong>of</strong> any particular<br />
lady, etiquette forbids that you should dance with her too frequently.<br />
Engaged persons would do well to bear this maxim in mind.<br />
It is customary to call upon your entertainers within a few days after<br />
the ball.[A]<br />
[Footnote A: For a more detailed account <strong>of</strong> the laws and business <strong>of</strong><br />
the ball, see the chapters entitled "The Ball-room Guide."]<br />
* * * * *<br />
XII.--STAYING AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE:--BREAKFAST, LUNCHEON, &c.<br />
A visitor is bound by the laws <strong>of</strong> social intercourse to conform in all<br />
respects to the habits <strong>of</strong> the house. In order to do this effectually,<br />
he should inquire, or cause his personal servant to inquire, what<br />
those habits are. To keep your friend's breakfast on the table till a<br />
late hour; to delay the dinner by want <strong>of</strong> punctuality; to accept other<br />
invitations, and treat his house as if it were merely an hotel to<br />
be slept in; or to keep the family up till unwonted hours, are alike<br />
evidences <strong>of</strong> a want <strong>of</strong> good feeling and good breeding.<br />
At breakfast and lunch absolute punctuality is not imperative; but a<br />
visitor should avoid being always the last to appear at table.<br />
No order <strong>of</strong> precedence is observed at either breakfast or luncheon.<br />
Persons take their seats as they come in, and, having exchanged their<br />
morning salutations, begin to eat without waiting for the rest <strong>of</strong> the<br />
party.<br />
If letters are delivered to you at breakfast or luncheon, you may read<br />
them by asking permission from the lady who presides at the urn.<br />
Always hold yourself at the disposal <strong>of</strong> those in whose house you are<br />
visiting. If they propose to ride, drive, walk, or otherwise occupy<br />
the day, you may take it for granted that these plans are made with<br />
reference to your enjoyment. You should, therefore, receive them with<br />
cheerfulness, enter into them with alacrity, and do your best to seem<br />
pleased, and be pleased, by the efforts which your friends make to<br />
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