ETIQTT.TTI-: OF THE BALL-ROoM. 277 



GENTLEMEN. 







A black suit, thin enameled boots, a white neckcloth, and white or deli- 

 cate gray gloves, are the chief points of a gentleman's ball-room toilette. 

 He may wear a plain-bosomed shirt with one stud. White waistcoats are 

 now fashionable. Much display of jeweller}- is no proof of good taste. A 

 handsome watch-chain with, perhaps, the addition of a few costly trifles 

 |.-nded to it, and a single shirt-stud, are the only adornments of this 

 kind that gentleman should wear. 



A gentleman's dress is necessarily so simple that it admits of no compro- 

 mise in point of quality and style. The material should be the best that 

 money can procure, and the fashion unexceptionable. So much on the out- 

 ward man depends on his tailor, that we would urge no gentleman to 

 economize in this matter. 



ETIQUETTE OF THE BALL-ROOM, 



On entering the ball-room, the visitor should at once seek the lady of the 

 house, and pay his respects to her. Having done this, he may exchange 

 salutations with such friends and acquaintances as may be in the room. 



If the ball be a public one, and a gentleman desires to dance with any 

 lady to whom he is a stranger, he must apply to a member of the floor 

 committee for an introduction. 



Even in private balls, no gentleman can invite a lady to dance without 

 a previous introduction. This introduction should be effected through the 

 lady of the house or a member of her family. 



No lady should accept an invitation to dance from a gentleman to whom 

 the has not been introduced. In case any gentleman should commit 

 error of BO invitm-- her, she should not excuse lu-rsrlf on th- pl<-a of a ; 

 vion MI. -lit nr of fatiu-u.-, as to do so would imply that ^h.- did 



If attach dm? importance to the necessary ceremony of introduction, 



II. -i- bed! reply would be to the effect that she would have much p 

 in acc,.],tin^ his invitation if In- would procure an introduction to her. 

 ition may be taken as applying only to public l>:ilk At a 

 private party tin- host and h<> >ullicient ^nar.n thrivsp, 



ability of their <nd although a ^entl.-man would show a sin-uNr 



L( <>f knowledge of th.- la .ei,-ty in act ing as we have supp 



th- lady who should reply to him as if h- w.-iv merely an imp.-rt in.-nt 

 bllC afi86mbly-rOOIH, WOUld ! implying an affront bO her 

 The DtteW \ assembled toother under th.- n- 



