Hints on Etiquette and the Usages of SocietyLongman, Brown, Green & Longmans, 1852 - 143 pages |
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Common terms and phrases
acquaintance agreeable allowed to overwhelm Amphitryon appreciate your reasons avoid ball-room Beersheba carriage CHAP Clapham Common coarse conspicuous by over-officiousness conversation custom Dancing delicacy derelictions from strict desire dessert spoon dine dinner drawn the lowest dress Esquire fashion feel fish sauces friends or ac gentleman gloves good-breeding guests habits HINTS ON ETIQUETTE intention to annoy lady leave a card leave a disagreeable lest you leave Letters of Introduction MARRIAGE matter mistress necessary to salute observance odd or unfriendly offer olfactory nerves overwhelm the unlucky party parvenus person pièce de résistance Portland Place prefer being allowed present profes prone to quarrel proper propriety may occur quadrille quaintances rank refinement Remember respectable serious or glaring servants snuff speak strange company stranger taste theatre think you odd thousand little derelictions tiffy tion Titian unless unlucky offender USAGES OF SOCIETY Visiting Cards vulgar well-bred women whilst wine
Popular passages
Page 114 - Ah, my Lord, how d'ye do?" The Duke looked surprised. " May I know, Sir, to whom I have the honour of speaking?" said his Grace, drawing up. " Oh ! why — don't you know ? We dined together at the B — f S — k Club, the other evening! — I'M MR. TIMMS OF THE TREASURY ! ! " " Then," said the Duke, turning on his heel,
Page 66 - ... serious or glaring violation of decorum. In small matters, ladies are both able and willing to take care of themselves, and would prefer being allowed to overwhelm the unlucky offender in their own way. If, while walking up and down a public promenade, you should meet friends or acquaintances whom you do not intend to join, it is only necessary to salute them the first time of passing ; to bow or...
Page 63 - Do not pride yourself on doing " steps neatly," unless you are ambitious of being taken for a dancing-master; between whose motions and those of a gentleman there is a great difference. If a lady should civilly decline to dance with you, making an excuse, and you chance to see her dancing afterwards, do not take any notice of it, nor be offended with her. It might not be that she despised you, but tbat she preferred i another.
Page 64 - Besides, it is a hard case that women should be compelled to dance with everybody offered them, at the alternative of not being allowed to enjoy themselves at all. If a friend be engaged when you request her to dance, and she promises to be your partner for the next or any of the following dances, do not neglect her when the time comes, but be in readiness to fulfil your office as her cavalier, or she may think that you have studiously slighted her, besides preventing her obliging some one else....
Page 60 - It is in bad taste to dress in the extreme of fashion ; and, in general, those only do so who have no other claim to distinction, — leave it, in these times, to shopmen and pickpockets. There are certain occasions, however, when you may dress as gaily as you please, observing the maxim of the ancient poet, to be
Page 130 - Gentility is neither in birth, manner, nor fashion — but in the MIND. A high sense of honor — a determination never to take a mean advantage of another — an adherence to truth, delicacy, and politeness towards those with whom you may have dealings — are the essential and distinguishing characteristics of a GENTLEMAN.
Page 102 - No lady, however intimate you may be with her, will acknowledge your acquaintance in the 11 / street, unless you are the first to honor her. with a bow of recognition. It must be obvious, however, to all thinking persons, that our own custom is the most in accordance with good taste. Never nod to a lady in the street, neither be satisfied with touching your hat, but take it off. — it is a courtesy her sex demands. Never keep your hat on when handing a lady to her box or to her carriage. Never slam...
Page 108 - IF you meet a lady of your .acquaintance in the street, it is her part to notice' you first, unless, indeed, you are very intimate. The reason is, if you bow to a lady first, she may. not choose to acknowledge you, and there is no remedy ; but if she bow to you — you, as a gentleman, cannot cut her.
Page 20 - ... country, where the circle constituting " society " is necessarily so small, that * its members cannot fail to acquire the same habits, feelings, and observances. However, a few hints may not be thrown away, always • recollecting that people can only become ridiculous by attempting to be too fine. I am, of course, supposing my readers to be acquainted with the decencies of life. When the members of the party have all assembled in the drawing-room, the master or mistress of the house will point...