A Wealth of Information

 Frost’s Laws and By-Laws of American Society

A CONDENSED BUT THOROUGH TREATISE ON ETIQUETTE AND ITS USAGES IN AMERICA, CONTAINING PLAIN AND RELIABLE DIRECTIONS FOR DEPORTMENT IN EVERY SITUATION IN LIFE ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:

Etiquette and Its Uses

Introductions

Letters of Introduction

Salutes and Salutations

Calls

Conversation

Invitations

Dinner Company

Balls

Morning and Evening Parties

Visiting

Street Etiquette

Riding and Driving

Travelling

Etiquette in Church

Etiquette for Places of Amusement

Servants

Hotel Etiquette

Etiquette at Weddings

Baptisms and Funerals

Etiquette of the Studio

Table Etiquette

Etiquette with Children

Games With Cards

Visiting Cards

Letter-Writing

The Lady’s Toilette

The Gentleman’s Toilette

 BESIDES ONE HUNDRED UNCLASSIFIED LAWS APPLICABLE TO ALL OCCASIONS
 

By  Sarah Annie Frost,

 AUTHOR OF “FROST’S LETTER-WRITER,” ETC.

1869

PREFACE.

For a long time the little book which we now offer to the public has been wanted in the library of the fashionable world; the customs, the etiquette, the different obligations which society imposes upon those who live in its midst, change frequently, and although the general principles are the same, although politeness and civility are of all epochs and times, nevertheless there are few persons so entirely at home in all the forms that they do not on some occasion feel hesitation as to the proper manner of conducting themselves.

Indeed, besides the broader and more essential rules of politeness, there are certain conventionalities adopted by good society, which, sanctioned by custom and absolute obligation, cannot, without some good reason, be neglected by the truly polite gentleman or lady. Every day the question is raised whether such and such a custom is adopted, received, and proper; there will constantly arise a doubt about the details of some ceremony, the proper hour for some entertainment, the true etiquette for some occasion. At such a time, there is a regret felt that there is not at hand, in one’s own library, a safe guide, an experienced counselor, who will answer such questions, so trifling in appearance, so important in reality.

A breach of etiquette, an involuntarily omission of some point of politeness, may often have a serious influence upon the future of the perpetrator. None of these little details are to be scorned they have each and every one a value.

It is to meet the want already mentioned that this little volume has been prepared. It makes no claim to originality; but its aim is to be perfectly reliable. English, French, and American authorities of weight have been consulted, and nothing admitted that was not sanctioned by experience and the customs of the best society.

Books, it is very true, have been already written upon this subject; but they are for the most part filled with useless details, and often do not contain what is of most importance. The aim of the Editor of the present work has been to avoid both extremes, to select only what was useful, reliable, and well established, and to reject only what was valueless or mere repetition.

The subjects treated are all classed that they may have easy reference, and admit of consultation at a moment’s notice.

The little book goes forth with one pretension only, one ambition alone—to be useful.