href="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@39040@[email protected]#Page_166" class="pginternal" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">166

XXIV. TOWN GARDEN-PARTIES 171 XXV. EVENING GARDEN-PARTIES 174 XXVI. LUNCHEONS 176 XXVII. BREAKFASTS 183 XXVIII. PICNICS AND WATER-PARTIES 186 XXIX. JUVENILE PARTIES 190 XXX. WRITTEN INVITATIONS 195 XXXI. REFUSING INVITATIONS 200 XXXII. WALKING, DRIVING, AND RIDING 202 XXXIII. BOWING 206 XXXIV. THE COCKADE 209 XXXV. COUNTRY-HOUSE VISITS 211 XXXVI. HUNTING AND SHOOTING 219 XXXVII. SHAKING HANDS 225 XXXVIII. CHAPERONS AND DÉBUTANTES 228 XXXIX. PRESENTATIONS AT THE VICEREGAL COURT, DUBLIN CASTLE 229 XL. HOSTESSES 234 XLI. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF LADY PATRONESSES OF PUBLIC BALLS 239 XLII. PERIODS OF MOURNING 242 XLIII. ENGAGED 250 XLIV. SILVER WEDDINGS 253 XLV. SUBSCRIPTION DANCES 256 XLVI. GIVING PRESENTS 259 XLVII. CHRISTENING PARTIES 261 INDEX 265

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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

The title of this work sufficiently indicates the nature of its contents. The Usages of Good Society relate not only to good manners and to good breeding, but also to the proper etiquette to be observed on every occasion.

Not only are certain rules laid down, and minutely explained, but the most comprehensive instructions are given in each chapter respecting every form or phase of the subject under discussion that it may be clearly understood what is done, or what is not done, in good society, and also how what is done in good society should be done. It is precisely this knowledge that gives to men and women the consciousness of feeling thoroughly at ease in whatever sphere they may happen to move, and causes them to be considered well bred by all with whom they may come in contact.

A solecism may be perhaps in itself but a trifling matter, but in the eyes of society at large it assumes proportions of a magnified aspect, and reflects most disadvantageously upon the one by whom it is committed; the direct inference being, that to be guilty of a solecism argues the offender to be unused to society, and consequently not on an equal footing with it. This society resents, and is not slow in making its disapproval felt by its demeanour towards the offender.

Tact and innate refinement, though of the greatest