208 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



tude for what you have given them, but in relief that you have left off. 

 You should try to suit your music, like your conversation, to your com- 

 pany. A solo of Beethoven's would be as much out of place in some 

 circles as a comic song at a Quaker's meeting. To those who only care 

 for the light popularities of the season, give Verdi. To connoisseurs, if 

 you perform well enough to venture, give such music as will be likely to 

 meet the exigencies of a fine taste. Above all, attempt nothing that you 

 cannot execute with ease and precision. 



In retiring from a crowded party it is unnecessary that you should seek 

 out the hostess for the purpose of bidding her a formal good-night. By 

 doing this you would, perhaps, remind others that it was getting late, and 

 cause the party to break up. If you meet the lady of the house on your 

 way to the drawing-room door, take your leave of her as unobstrusively as 

 possible, and slip away without attracting the attention of her other 

 guests. 



THE DINNER TABLE, 



To be acquainted with every detail of the etiquette pertaining to this 

 subject is of the highest importance to every gentleman. Ease, savoir 

 jaire, and good-breeding are nowhere more indispensable than at the din- 

 ner-table, and the absence of them is nowhere more apparent. 



An invitation to dine should be replied to immediately, and unequivo- 

 cally accepted or declined. Once accepted, nothing but an event of the 

 last importance should cause }^ou to fail in your engagement. 



To be exactly punctual is the strictest politeness on these occasions. If 

 you are too early, you are in the way ; if too late, you spoil the dinner, 

 annoy the hostess, and are hated by the rest of the guests. Some auth- 

 orities are even of opinion that in the question of a dinner party, " never" 

 is better than " late " ; and one author has gone so far as to say, " if you 

 do not reach the house till dinner is served, you had better retire to a 

 restaurateur's, and thence send an apology, and not interrupt the har- 

 mony of the courses by awkward excuses and cold acceptance." 



When the party is assembled, the mistress or master of the house will 

 point out to each gentleman the lady whom he is to conduct to the table. 

 If she be a stranger, you had better seek an introduction ; if a previous 

 acquaintance, take care to be near her when the dinner is announced ; 

 offer your arm, and go down according to precedence. This order of pre- 

 cedence must be arranged by the host or hostess. 



When the dinner is announced, the host offers his arm to the lady of 

 most distinction, invites the rest to follow by a few words or a bow, and 



