The Book of Good Manners | Page 8

ASSEMBLY. See ASSEMBLY BALLS.

BALLS, COSTUME. See COSTUME BALLS.

BALLS, DEBUT. See DEBUT BALLS.

BALLS, PUBLIC. See PUBLIC BALLS.

BALLS, SUBSCRIPTION. See SUBSCRIPTION BALLS.

BANANAS. The skin should be cut off with a knife, peeling from the
top down, while holding in the hand. Small pieces should be cut or
broken off, and taken in the fingers, or they may be cut up and eaten
with a fork.

BARON-HOW ADDRESSED. An official letter begins: My Lord, and
ends: I have the honor to be your Lordship's obedient servant.
The address on the envelope is: To the Right Honorable the Baron
Wilson.
A social letter begins: Dear Lord Wilson, and ends: Believe me, my
dear Lord Wilson, very sincerely yours.
The address is: To the Lord Wilson.
DAUGHTER OF. See DAUGHTER OF BARON.
WIFE OF YOUNGER SON OF. See WIFE OF YOUNGER SON OF

BARON.

BARON, YOUNGER SON OF--How Addressed. An official letter
begins: Sir, and ends: I have the honor to remain your obedient servant.
A social letter begins: Dear Mr. Wilson, and ends: Believe me, dear Mr.
Wilson, sincerely yours.
The address on the envelope is: To the Honorable John Wilson.

BARONESS-HOW ADDRESSED, An official letter begins: Madam,
and ends: I have the honor to remain your Ladyship's most obedient
servant.
The address on the envelope is: To the Right Honorable The Baroness
Kent.
A social letter begins: Dear Lady Kent, and ends. Believe me dear Lady
Kent, sincerely yours.
The address is: To the Lady Kent.

BARONET-HOW ADDRESSED. An official letter begins: Sir, and
ends: I have the honor to remain, sir, your obedient servant.
A social letter begins: Dear Sir John Wilson, or Dear Sir John, and ends:
Believe me, dear Sir John, faithfully yours.
The address on the envelope is: To Sir John Wilson, Bart.
WIFE OF, See WIFE OF BARONET.

BEST MAN. The best man is usually a bachelor, but may be a married

man or a widower, and is selected by the groom. He fills an important
position, requiring tact, administrative ability, and capacity to handle
details. He acts as the groom's representative, confidential advisor, and
business advisor.
After his selection he should send a gift to the bride, and may, if he
wish, send it to the groom-a custom not yet clearly established, and one
not to be either encouraged or followed with safety.
On the morning of the wedding-day he should have received both the
ring and fee from the groom, and should personally see to the church
and other details.
He breakfasts with the groom, and together they drive to the church.
CALLS. He should call on the bride's mother within two weeks after
the ceremony, and also on the married couple upon their return from
their wedding trip.
CHURCH. He accompanies the groom into the chancel, and stands by
his side till the bride appears, when he receives the groom's hat and
gloves, and stands a little way behind him. When the clergyman bids
the bride and groom join hands, he gives the ring to to the groom.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, he gives the wedding fee to the
clergyman, and hastily leaves the church to summon the groom's
carriage and to return him his hat. He signs the register, if a witness is
needed.
It is a better arrangement to have the groom and the best man enter the
church without their hats, and have the latter sent from the vestry to the
church door, so that the groom may receive his when he leaves the
church.
Especially is this a good arrangement if the best man has to walk with
the maid of honor down the aisle.
After this, he hastens in his own carriage to the bride's home, to assist

in meeting and introducing the guests at the reception or breakfast.
DRESS. If the bride presents the best man with the boutonniere, he
should go to her house on the wedding-day to have her put it in the
lapel of his coat.
He should dress as nearly as possible like the groom-wearing afternoon
dress at an afternoon wedding, and at an evening wedding evening
dress.
See also GROOM-DRESS.
EXPENSES. The best man is the guest of the groom, and in matters of
expense this should be borne in mind.
REPORTERS. If such is the wish of the family of the bride, the best
man attends to the reporters, and furnishes them with the names of
groom, bride, relatives, friends, description of gowns, and other details
deemed suitable for publication.
WEDDING BREAKFAST. The best man escorts the maid of honor,
and they are usually seated at the bridal table.
WEDDING RECEPTION. The best man stands with the married
couple, and is introduced to the guests.
WEDDING TRIP. He should