Dancing Rules
Invitations to "dances" should be sent out from ten
days to two weeks previous, and should be responded to at once, that the hostess may know
about how many to entertain. These invitations may be informal or quite elaborate as the
hostess sees fit to issue.
Guests may arrive at the ball-room at any hour between eight
and nine. Avoid going too early.
Four musicians are ample provision for the musical part, and
the largest room in the house should be used for the ball. It should be as barren of
furniture as possible. Pictures and carpets should be removed, and oly a row of
chairs left standing against the wall for the use of the lookers-on, and the tired
dancers, when their partners lead them to a seat.
There should be a dressing room for the gentlemen, where a
manservant should be in readiness to take the hats, coats, and canes and to show any
attention required. The ladies' dressing room should be provided with several
glasses, brushes, combs, hair pins, and all the accessories of the toilet. A maid
should be in attendance to assist the ladies.
A lady should always dance the first dance with her escort.
The duty of receiving guests belongs to the hostess, but the
host should always be at hand to assist her if needed. When there are sons in the family
giving the ball, they should look after the interests of the young ladies, procuring them
partners for the dances, and assisting in every other way needed. The daughters of the
house must see that their friends are enjoying themselves, and not dance while other young
ladies are being neglected.
As introductions at balls are nderstood to be for the purpose
of dancing, it is not necessary to recognize the person introduced to you afterward,
though it is poite to bow. A gentleman must not solicit more than two dances from a young
lady whom he has met for the first time that evening.
It is very poor taste for a gentlemand and lady to place their
joined hands against the hip or side of the gentleman. Always keep the hands clear of the
body.
Never overlook or refuse to fill in an engagement upon your
card or erase the name in favor of some other gentleman. It is unpardonable.
White gloves (kid, of course) are worn. Light and very
delicate shades are permitted also. Gloves are removed from the hands at supper.
A married couple should not dance together more than once in
an evening.
If a lady refuses to damce with a gentleman, unless she isp
reviously engaged, she should remain seated until the dance is finished.
When a gentleman's hands perspire, and there should be danger
of soiling hispartner's dress, by contact while waltzing, it is an evidence of care to
hold his handkerchief in his hand to shield the dress. A gentleman will never encircle the
waist of his partner for a waltz until the music begins, and will remove his arm as soon
as it ceases. |
