258 THE HOME, FAEM AKD BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



A brother may present his sister, or a father his son, without any kind 

 of preliminary : but only when there is no inferiority on the part of his 

 own family to that of the acquaintance. 



Friends may introduce friends at the house of a mutual acquaintance, 

 but, as a rule, it is better to be introduced by the mistress of the house. 

 Such an introduction carries more authority with it. 



Introductions at evening parties are now almost wholly dispensed with. 

 Persons who meet at a friend's house are ostensibly upon an equality, and 

 pay a bad compliment to the host by appearing suspicious, and formal. 

 Some old-fashioned country hosts yet persevere in introducing each new- 

 comer to all the assembled guests. It is a custom that cannot be too soon 

 abolished, and one that places the last unfortunate visitor in a singularly 

 awkward position. All that he can do is to make a semicircular bow, 

 like a concert singer before an audience, and bear the general gaze with as 

 much composure as possible. 



If, when entering the drawing-room, your name has been wrongly 

 announced, or has passed unheard in the buzz of conversation, make your 

 way at once to the mistress of the house, if you are a stranger, and intro- 

 duce yourself by name. This should be done with the greatest simplic- 

 ity, and your professional or titular rank made as little of as possible. 



An introduction given at a ball for the mere purpose of conducting a 

 lady through a dance does not give the gentleman any right to bow to 

 her on a future occasion. If he commits this error, he must remember 

 that she is not bound to see or return his salutation. 



LETTEES OF fflTKODUCTION. 



Do not lightly give or promise letters of introduction. Always remem- 

 ber that when you give a letter of introduction you lay yourself under an 

 obligation to the friend to whom it is addressed. 



No one delivers a letter of introduction in person. It places you in the 

 most undignified position imaginable, and compels you to wait while it is 

 being read, like a footman who has been told to wait for an answer. 



If, on the other hand, a stranger sends you a letter of introduction and 

 his card, you are bound by the laws of politeness and hospitality, not only 

 to call upon him the next day, but to follow up that attention with others. 

 If you are in a position to do so, the most correct proceeding is to invite 

 him to dine with you. Should this not be within your power, you have 

 probably the entree to some private collections, club-houses, theatres, or 

 reading-rooms, and could devote a few hours to showing him these 

 places. 



