The Book of Good Manners | Page 5

advance.
HOST. The host should greet his guests at the door, shaking hands with each one, and introducing to the chaperone those not known to her.
He introduces guests who are strangers to each other, bids them adieu, accompanies the women to the door, and escorts the chaperone to her carriage, and if she has come alone without one, may very properly escort her home.
If at a large reception several women have helped him entertain, he should thank them and see them to their carriages.
He will, of course, see that there is provided a dressing-room for women with a maid to wait upon them, and that the rooms are in good order, well furnished with flowers, and that the refreshments are attended to. See also INVITATIONS.
MEN. Afternoon dress is worn.
WOMEN. The invitations, engraved or oral, should be promptly acknowledged.
Women wear dress customary at afternoon teas, and on their entrance should greet the host. Upon departing they take leave of him, though this is not necessary if the reception be a large one.
If a young woman knows that a chaperone is present, she need not have her own chaperone accompany her.
If the chaperone leaves early, she should do likewise.

BACHELORS' THEATRE PARTY. See THEATRE AND OPERA PARTIES GIVEN BY MEN.

BADGES--BALLS (PUBLIC). It is customary for men and women on the committees to wear on the left side of the breast ornamental badges, embroidered with the official position of the wearer.

BAGGAGE. If a man is traveling with a woman, he should see to the checking and care of her baggage. See also TRAVELING.
WEDDING TRIP. The best man should, some time before the wedding, see that the baggage of the bridal couple has been checked, and the checks given to the groom. See also BEST MAN.

BALLS. A ball is an evening function, beginning at a late hour, devoted wholly to dancing. The costumes are more elaborate, the supper arrangements more extensive, and the floral decorations more lavish than at a dance.
ACCEPTING INVITATION TO DANCE. While a young woman may accept or decline any invitation to dance, it is considered an act of discourtesy to refuse one man for a dance and to accept an invitation thereafter for the same dance from another.
ANNOUNCING GUESTS. The hostess decides whether or not the guests are to be announced. At public balls it is customary.
ANSWERING INVITATIONS. These should be answered immediately, and if declined, the ticket should be returned.
ARRIVING AT. There is no set rule when guests should arrive.
In the city, guests should arrive anywhere between eleven and twelve, and in the country, fifteen minutes after the hour set in the invitation.
ASKING WOMEN TO DANCE. A man asks for the privilege of a dance either with the daughter of the hostess, with any guest of the latter, or with any young woman receiving with her.
On being introduced to a woman, he may ask her for a dance, and should be punctual in keeping the engagement.
It is her privilege to end the dance at any moment she wishes, after which he should conduct her to her chaperone or find a seat for her, after which he is at liberty to go elsewhere.
If for any cause a man has to break his engagements to dance, he should personally explain the matter to every woman with whom he has an engagement and make a suitable apology.

BALLS, ASSEMBLY. The etiquette at an assembly ball is much the same as at a private ball, the functions and duties of the hostess being filled by a committee of women selected for that purpose.
On entering the room, the guests bow to the committee and pass on.
It is not necessary to take leave of the committee.
CARRIAGE. A man should provide a carriage in which to call for the woman he escorts and her chaperone.
CHAPERONES. For a small ball given in a private house, the hostess need not invite the mothers of the young women, and the young women can properly attend, knowing that the hostess will act as a chaperone.
But at a large ball it is necessary to invite the mother as well as the daughters, and the chaperone as well as the debutante under her care. The mother can send regrets for herself, and send her daughters in care of a maid. Or she can attend, and, after remaining a suitable time, she may entrust her daughter to the care of a chaperone who intends to remain the whole evening.

BALLS FOR DEBUTANTE.
DRESS. A debutante should dress in white or some extremely delicate color, and wear very little jewelry--some simple brooch or single piece of jewelry, or a slender chain of pearls.
DUTIES OF DAUGHTERS. Except at her own debut, a daughter does not assist her mother in receiving. She should be ready, however, to see that young women have partners, and to speak, without introduction, to strangers.
GUEST OF