Book of Etiquette, Volume 2

AS A HEA

tiful emotions that are so eloquently expressed in music, sculpture, painting. And it is through these expressions of emotion, through this silent poe

n added to the curriculum of public schools in almost every country. We find the youngsters revelling in folk-dance

ers mark the time of the measure. With the soft, mellow harmony of triplet melodies we are transported to the solemn vastness of a mountain beside a gayly rippling stream. With the deep, sonorous bursts of triumphant melody, we are

Let us dance for in dancing we find joy, pleasure, hope. It is the languag

nfluence on mind and body. But where there is plenty of room and fresh air, plenty of good, soul-inspiring music-we say danc

NG NO LONG

ations and large orchestras has passed. In its place is the simple, enjoyable, inexp

oiled by overdecoration; a vase or two containing the flowers of the season offer the sole touch of festivity. There are, of course, numerous personal innovati

ver-burdened with a sense of obligation. The dance has become simple and inexpensive; and because it is als

éBUT

r is used only in case of a large public dance or function. The usual "at home" form of invitation is used, and in the lower left-hand corner the word dancing is printed. The name of

welcomes each guest. She may be assisted by several of her friends who are well-known in society. Her da

society. But she is expected to dance every dance, returning to receive guests during the intervals. Sometimes the young débutante has several of her c

d chat. The hostess does not dance at all, or if she does, it is usually late in the evening. She remains at her post at the door, welcoming guests and seeing that all shy men get partners and all the young girls have a good time. One paramount duty of the hostess is so to

UME

date set for the dance, and as for the début dance, the word ball does not appear on it. Instead the words "Costumes of the Twelfth C

r that is in every way opposed to one's own character is unwise and ungratifying. A sedate, quiet young miss should not choose a Folly Costume. Nor should a jolly, vivaci

IPTION

ption dance? The question is a com

rder of the formal dance, except that it is semi-public and is usually held in a public hall. There is no host or hostess, of course; their place is held by an appointed committee or by the patronesses of the dance

if the membership decide to give several periodic dances, he is entitled to invite a certain number of frien

ving been appropriated from the subscription fees for the entertainment. Or simple refreshments

e patronesses. However, if they are on duty at the door, a cordi

BALL

he most important detail. A polished hardwood floor offers the most pleasing surface for danci

a festive note, if the hostess so desires. But there must not be an obvious attempt at d

decorations and fashionable conventions that attended the minuet and quadrille of several decades ago hav

AT THE

stringed instruments are sufficient. The musicians should b

stess. She must also arrange for encores, and should make p

E PR

e passing of the old-fashioned ball. But sometimes there are special occasions when the hostess wishes to have progr

it of verse enlivens the front cover. Each dance is entered on the program-and many a delightful memory is kept alive by glan

ER D

m she wishes to invite to the dance only. For the former the ordinary dinner invitation may be issued, with the words "Dancing at Nine" added in the left

ecorated with flowers, are salads, sandwiches, ices, jellies and fruits which may be partaken of throughout the entire ev

may be served in the dining-room of that hotel. The small tables are usually decorated with lamps

SING

re sometimes called, are essential for the convenience of the guests. There m

on them again when they are ready to depart. A dressing-table, completely furnished with hand-mirror, powder, perfume and a small lamp, should be provided. A full-size mir

ecessary requisites for smoking, matches, ash-trays, cigar-cutters, etc. Here also a

DA

en dances are shorter. Something of the old dignity is gone, but in its place is a new romance that is perhaps more gratifying. It is not a romance of the Mid-Victorian period, or a romance that carries with it the breath

s of good conduct without which it loses all the grace and charm which are the pride and inspiration of the dancing couples. There is, for instance, th

ADY IS ASK

he lady he escorted to the ball. Then he takes care that she has a partner for each

next partner. The lady does not seek her partner for the next dance, if she has promised it to anyone

TING

the dance with him. If the dance has not been very long in progress, and the young lady wishes to continue it, she may nod and say, "The next time we pass here." The d

onsider the informal gayety of the ballroom, the keen and whole-hearted love of dancing, we can underst

to dance together so many times a

s dancers because they prefer to sm

NG PO

ety. And it is safe to say that some of our austere granddames would feel righteously indignant if they

o through the dance with a certain unrestrained impulsiveness unknown to the minuet or graceful quadrille. These newer dances and dancing interpretations are charming and e

waist line. With his left hand, he holds her right at arm's length in the position most comfortable for both of them, taking special care not to hold it in an awkward or ungainly position. His face is always

clines her body in harmony with that of her partner, and if the proper care is taken to retain

GUEST DOE

woman who does not know the steps of the latest dances-that is, if she ever does accept invitations at all. But "the

active young ladies, who accepts the invitations of hostesses, is failing in his duty when he offers as an excuse the fact that he doe

m and escorting them to the refreshment table, and altogether show by his kind attentiveness that he realizes his deficiency and wishes to make up for it. To lounge in the dressing-room, smoking and chatting with oth

IC D

es of the hostess. At most public balls, the committee is composed of men and women who wear badges to indicate their position, and who stand at the door to receive and welcome each guest. These men and wom

s to be shaken unless the ladies serving as patronesses take the initiative. They may stay for one or two dances, or throughou

s of the patronesses are also engraved. If the entrance to the ball is by purchased ticket, such as is always

s. A buffet supper is always the most pleasing and satisfactory as the guests may partake of the foods when they desire and there is no confusion or in

rted to the seat reserved for him. He must be attended throughout the evening, introduced to everyone he does not know, and all his wants carefully taken care of. When he depa

ntlemen of the committees, including, of course, those who receive. To mingle freely among the guests, to join in the conversation, to introduce guests to each other and find partners for

FOR D

have been speeches and lectures against "shaking and twisting of the body into weird, outlandish contortions." There have been vigorous crusades against dance halls. And all because a few ill-bred

n or woman with a vulgar mind, with base ideals, who will give a vulgar interpretation to a dance of any kind. But the essentially fine girl, the really well-bred man, the people who, by their poise and dignity have earned for America the envied title of "Republic of the Aristocrats

tz. They are different, yes, and rather hard to accept after the dignified dances of not so long ago. But they are picturesque, to say the least, and artistic. The gracefully-swaying bodies, keeping step

d wigs. To-day the "jazzy" dances are in vogue, and society in its lowest and highest circles is finding intense pleasure in the whirling, swirling dances decreed by fashion as her favorites. W

OF DRESS

laughter long pent-up. It was as though an avalanche of joy had been released; it was in reality the reaction from the terrors and nightmares of those two

onster guillotine, were converted into places for dancing. Every available inch of space was utilized for the dance. And the more these freed people dance

these people. He told how they dressed in the brightest clothes they could obtain, for maddened with happ

n in weird, vivid clothes. It seemed natural that they should be dancing so wildly in their wild co

ect clothes do have on the spirit, and incidentally to show what the ballroom owes to dress. For it is undoubtedly the gayly-colored dance frock of the

AFTERNO

eed France and the simple, graceful dance of to-day. Y

ul as one can wear without being gaudy. The decorous effect of these bright-colored costumes is what brings the "giddy k

the fluffiest and most becoming style which fashion permits. Trim it gaily,

rêpe-de-chine; but satin is one of the materials that is preferred for more formal occasions than the afte

and the neck of the gown is also cut on the lines that agree with the prevalent mode. But it is extremely bad

pumps are preferred for the afternoon, reserving the more elaborate satin pumps for evening wear. Long white silk or kid gloves and a li

EN AT T

ternoon dance, completing his costume with black patent leather shoes or oxford ties, light gray gloves, and st

or the older. Light linen and bright ties are in full accordance with the gay colors worn by the women at the dance. The coat may be the ordinary unlined, straight hanging overcoat of

FOR TH

the evening, it often as

roducing one's daughter to society or celebrating t

that is a trifle more elaborate than usual. The event is a brilliant one, and if gaudiness

ious at the ball, for simplicity has a delightful attractiveness all its own, and if the gown is well-made of excellent ma

F THE D

he young lady does well to seek the advice of her friends who are already in society, and of her modiste who knows

lar materials. The style should be youthful and simple, preferably bordering on the bouffant lines rather than on those that are more severely slender. The neck may

ent. Her hair should be arranged simply in a French coil or youthful coiffure, and should be wholly without ornamentation. Simplicity, i

AT T

attractive when it is within one's means. But the simple wrap of cloth, untrimmed, is certainly better taste for the woman whose means are limited. However, discrimination should be shown in the selection of lines and colors. A sim

ers. Or a smaller shawl may be tied merely around the head. Satin pumps are worn, usually with buckle

RESS F

dress suit is worn by the gentleman at the evening

ced if he so desires, and trousers to match. Full rolled waistcoat, small bow-tie and stiff li

the coat lapels may correspond. White kid gloves are worn, and a conventional silk hat. In winter, the coat may be a heavy, dark-colored raglan, a

IMPLE COU

held in the smaller towns. Sometimes they are held in the afternoon; more often in the evening,

casion proved one worthy of remembrance in the social annals of the town. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty women and one hundred men. Three rooms in the hoste

at described previously for the formal ball. There were no sleeveless gowns, no elaborate décolletés. Taffetas, chiffons and silk brocades were developed simply into gowns of dignified charm. One di

is, Jr. Courtesy of th

UNCH

g form of refreshment

owes dress a great debt, and women have an inherent good taste. And both these facts are forcibly proved at the co

hat simplicity in dress has more beauty