278 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



a mutual friend, is in itself, a kind of general introduction of the guests to 

 each other. 



An introduction given for the mere purpose of enabling a lady and gen- 

 tleman to go through a dance together, does not constitute an acquaint- 

 anceship. The lady is at liberty, should she feel like doing so, to pass the 

 gentleman the next day without recognition. 



To attempt to dance without a knowledge of dancing is not only to 

 make one's self ridiculous, but one's partner also. No lady or gentleman 

 has a right to place a partner in this absurd position. 



Never forget a ball-room engagement. To do so is to commit an unpar- 

 donable offence against good breeding. 



It is not necessary that a lady or gentleman should be acquainted with 

 the steps in order to w r alk gracefully and easily through a quadrille. An 

 easy carriage and a knowledge of the figure is all that is requisite. A round 

 dance, however, should on no account be attempted without a thorough 

 knowledge of the steps and some previous practice. 



No person who has not a good ear for time and tune need hope to dance 

 well. 



At the conclusion of a dance the gentleman bows to his partner, and 

 either promenades with her round the room or takes her to a seat. Where 

 a room is set apart for refreshments, he offers to conduct her thither. At 

 a public ball no gentleman would, of course, permit a lady to pay for 

 refreshments. Good taste forbids that a lady and gentleman should dance 

 too frequently together, at either a public or private ball. Engaged per- 

 sons should be careful not to commit this conspicuous solecism. 



If a lady happens to forget a previous engagement, and stands up with 

 another partner, the gentleman whom she has thus slighted is bound to 

 believe that she has acted from mere inadvertence, and should by no means 

 suffer his pride to master his good temper. To cause a disagreeable scene 

 in a private ball-room is to affront your host and hostess, and to make 

 yourself absurd. In a public room it is no less reprehensive. 



Always remember that good breeding and good temper (or the appear- 

 ance of good temper) are inseparably connected. 



Young gentlemen are earnestly advised not to limit their conversation 

 to remarks on the weather and the heat of the room. It is to a certain 

 extent incumbent on them to do something more than dance when they 

 invite a lady to join a quadrille. If it be only upon the news of the day, 

 a gentleman should be able to afford at least three or four observations to 

 his partner in the course of a long half hour. 



