Frosts Laws and By-Laws of American Society

Frost's Laws and By-Laws of
American Society

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Title: Frost's Laws and By-Laws of American Society A condensed but
thorough treatise on etiquette and its usages in America, containing
plain and reliable directions for deportment in every situation in life.
Author: Sarah Annie Frost

Release Date: July, 2005 [EBook #8467] [Yes, we are more than one
year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on July 14, 2003]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FROST'S
LAWS ***

Produced by Holly Ingraham.

FROST'S LAWS AND BY-LAWS OF AMERICAN SOCIETY
A CONDENSED BUT THOROUGH TREATISE ON ETIQUETTE
AND ITS USAGES IN AMERICA, CONTAINING PLAIN AND
RELIABLE DIRECTIONS FOR DEPORTMENT IN EVERY
SITUATION IN LIFE ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
Letters of Introduction, Salutes and Salutations Calls, Conversation,
Invitations, Dinner Company, Balls, Morning and Evening Parties,
Visiting, Street Etiquette, Riding and Driving, Travelling, Etiquette in
Church, Etiquette for Places of Amusement, Servants, Hotel Etiquette,
Etiquette at Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals. Etiquette with Children
and at the Card Table, Visiting Cards, Lettter-Writing, The Lady's
Toilet, The Gentleman's Toilet,
BESIDES ONE HUNDRED UNCLASSIFIED LAWS APPLICABLE
TO ALL OCCASIONS By S. A. FROST,
AUTHOR OF "FROST'S LETTER-WRITER," ETC.
1869

PREFACE.
For a long time the little book which we now offer to the public has
been wanted in the library of the fashionable world; the customs, the
etiquette, the different obligations which society imposes upon those
who live in its midst, change frequently, and although the general

principles are the same, although politeness and civility are of all
epoques and times, nevertheless there are few persons so entirely at
home in all the forms that they do not on some occasion feel hesitation
as to the proper manner of conducting themselves.
Indeed, besides the broader and more essential rules of politeness, there
are certain conventionalities adopted by good society, which,
sanctioned by custom and absolute obligation, cannot, without some
good reason, be neglected by the truly polite gentleman or lady. Every
day the question is raised whether such and such a custom is adopted,
received, and proper; there will constantly arise a doubt about the
details of some ceremony, the proper hour for some entertainment, the
true etiquette for some occasion. At such a time, there is a regret felt
that there is not at hand, in one's own library, a safe guide, an
experienced counsellor, who will answer such questions, so trifling in
appearance, so important in reality.
A breach of etiquette, an involuntarily omission of some point of
politeness, may often have a serious influence upon the future of the
perpetrator. None of these little details are to be scorned they have each
and every one a value.
It is to meet the want already mentioned that this little volume has been
prepared. It makes no claim to originality; but its aim is to be perfectly
reliable. English, French, and American authorities of weight have been
consulted, and nothing admitted that was not sanctioned by experience
and the customs of the best society.
Books, it is very true, have been already written upon this subject; but
they are for the most part filled with useless details, and often do not
contain what is of most importance. The aim of the Editor of the
present work has been to avoid both extremes, to select only what was
useful, reliable, and well established, and to reject only what was
valueless or mere repetition.
The subjects treated are all classed that they may have easy reference,
and admit of consultation at a moment's notice.
The little book goes forth with one pretension only, one ambition
alone--to be useful.
CONTENTS.
Etiquette and Its Uses Introductions Letters of Introduction Salutes and
Salutations Calls Conversation Invitations Dinner Company Balls

Morning and Evening Parties Visiting Street Etiquette Riding and
Driving Travelling Etiquette In