File:American etiquette and rules of politeness (1883) (14761376836).jpg

Identifier: americanetiquett00houg (find matches)
Title: American etiquette and rules of politeness
Year: 1883 (1880s)
Authors: Houghton, Walter R. (Walter Raleigh), 1845-1929
Subjects: Etiquette
Publisher: New York : Standard Pub. Co.
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
£A<e<&4 €■£<£<£€£ (or whatever the cause may be) fe<te<u<ewZd Or, Cs/(Q4. <ez<?i<c/ OviQid. <ZM(§-te4d 4e<tz.<t<e£ £^^e€.€i€^i^^u,&i<Z£ <ai4tt4t<tz. sCa (whatever the preventing cause may be) -^^^-caw 44&£ </i€iW<e- ^Aa fe£€-€zd<u<ie <a^ -c/t<m<zt-tz, ^uz^cA. The cause for declining should always be stated, sothat there may be no occasion for misunderstanding. If it should become necessary to break an engage-ment made for dinner, a note must be sent at once tothe host and hostess, so that they may supply yourplace if possible. TIME. In cities, the hour selected for a dinner is after busi-ness hours, or from five to eight oclock. It may bean hour or two earlier in the country or in villages. It is obligatory upon you to be punctual at the hourmentioned. You are in the way if you go too early ;and you annoy the hostess and guests if you are too 164 AMERICAN ETIQUETTE.
Text Appearing After Image:
DINGERS. 165 late. A hostess is not required to wait longer thanfifteen minutes for a tardy guest. ENTEBTAINMENT. The success of a dinner is readily judged by themanner in which conversation has been sustained. Ifa stream of talk has been kept up, it shows that theguests have been entertained ; but if, on the contrary,the conversation has been dull and flagging, it showsthat the entertainment has been to a certain extent afailure. No one should monopolize the conversation, but allshould take some part. It is due your host and host-ess that you do all in your power to enjoy yourselfand assist in entertaining others. SETTING THE TABLE. The table-cloth and napkins must be spotless.Beautiful china, glistening or finely engraved glassand polished plate are considered essential to a finedinner. A centre-piece of flowers is a pretty ornament. Ahandsome vase filled with growing plants in bloomadds greatly to the appearance of the table. Theflowers must be of delicate odors. A variety of fruit

Note About Images