Carriage Etiquette
The choicest seat in a landau is considered the one facing the horses, and this should be yeilded to the ladies. The place of honour is also on the right hand of the seat, facing the animals, and belongs also to the hostess. After the lady has taken her seat, the gentleman can enter so that his back is toward the seat he will occupy, and this prevents his turning around in the carriage, which is always an awkward proceeding. Be careful lest you trample upon the dresses of the ladies, or close them in the door. A gentleman must leave the carriage first, and then assist the ladies out. If a servant is with the carriage, he may hold the door open, but the gentleman must furnish the needed assistance. It is really an art to descend from a carriage gracefully. It is related of a former Empress of Austria that she desired a princess to bring her three daughters to court that she might select one for a wife to one of her sons. They were driven in a coach to the palace gates. They had scarcely entered the royal presence when the Empress took the second daughter by the hand and expressed her preference for her, explaining her action in the following manner; "I watched the young ladies leave their carriage. Your eldest daughter stepped on her dress, and only saved a fall by an awkward scramble. The youngest jumped to the grund without touching the steps. The second, just lifting her dress as she descended, calmly stepped from the carriage to the ground, neither hurriedly nor stiffly, but with grace and dignity. She is fit to be an empress. The eldest sister is too awkward, the youngest too wild." In assisting a lady into a carriage take care that the skirt of her dress does not hang outside; cover it with the robe, and see that she has her parasol, fan, and shawl. In driving, the lady must be seated on the left of her escort, so that the whip hand may be free. When driving, it is rather embarassing to know just how to acknowledge the greeting of friends. It is impossible to raise the hat, and some gentlemen deem it good form to raise a whip to the hat. But this would shock a foreign gentleman. We think the best plan would be to incline the head a little lower than usual, and this form of salutation would be far more respectful. Do not drive fast if it is objectionable to your companion. She may be very timid, and you have no right to disregard her fears. You are responsible for her safety, and should be equally responsible for her comfort and pleasure. Much opportunity for display is permitted in the carriage dress. Rich and brilliant colors, elaborate wraps, costly materials, are allowable here. The dresses for driving are some of them almost as elaborate as dinner dresses were once. Every color of the rainbow is seen, and yet delicate materials and hues are not fit to stand the glare of the sun and the onslaughts of wind and dust. This lavish display of glaring colors seems out of place in such conspicious places. The coaching parties have helped to still further increase this development of false taste, but we see it stated that the Princess of Wales, whose taste and common sense are markedly clear, openly reproved this strange jumbling of orange silk, rich laces and pearly silks by appearing at a coaching parade attired in a close fitting suit of navy blue flannel. We believe that the day of over-dressing in public places among the best people is past. Wear the gayest colors and the most beautiful costumes at receptions, dancing parties, dinners, and kindred occasions, but observe a fitness in time and place. If the taste inclines to bright colors, remember there are lovely shades in serges, nun's veiling and drap d'etes; but do not make the error of wearing ball dresses in public
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