Produced by Holly Ingraham.
FROST'S LAWS AND BY-LAWSOF AMERICAN SOCIETY
A CONDENSED BUT THOROUGH TREATISE ONETIQUETTE AND ITS USAGES IN AMERICA,CONTAINING PLAIN AND RELIABLE DIRECTIONS FORDEPORTMENT IN EVERY SITUATION IN LIFEON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS:
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 with Children and at the Card Table,
Visiting Cards,
Lettter-Writing,
The Lady's Toilet,
The Gentleman's Toilet,
BESIDES ONE HUNDRED UNCLASSIFIED LAWS
APPLICABLE TO ALL OCCASIONS
By S. A. FROST,
AUTHOR OF "FROST'S LETTER-WRITER," ETC.
1869
PREFACE.
For a long time the little book which we now offer to the publichas been wanted in the library of the fashionable world; thecustoms, the etiquette, the different obligations which societyimposes upon those who live in its midst, change frequently, andalthough the general principles are the same, although politenessand civility are of all epoques and times, nevertheless there arefew persons so entirely at home in all the forms that they do noton some occasion feel hesitation as to the proper manner ofconducting themselves.
Indeed, besides the broader and more essential rules ofpoliteness, there are certain conventionalities adopted by goodsociety, which, sanctioned by custom and absolute obligation,cannot, without some good reason, be neglected by the truly politegentleman or lady. Every day the question is raised whether suchand such a custom is adopted, received, and proper; there willconstantly arise a doubt about the details of some ceremony, theproper hour for some entertainment, the true etiquette for someoccasion. At such a time, there is a regret felt that there is notat hand, in one's own library, a safe guide, an experiencedcounsellor, who will answer such questions, so trifling inappearance, so important in reality.
A breach of etiquette, an involuntarily omission of some point ofpoliteness, may often have a serious influence upon the future ofthe perpetrator. None of these little details are to be scornedthey have each and every one a value.
It is to meet the want already mentioned that this little volumehas been prepared. It makes no claim to originality; but its aimis to be perfectly reliable. English, French, and Americanauthorities of weight have been consulted, and nothing admittedthat was not sanctioned by experience and the customs of the bestsociety.
Books, it is very true, have been already written upon thissubject; but they are for the most part filled with uselessdetails, and often do not contain what is of most importance. Theaim of the Editor of the present work has been to avoid bothextremes, to select only what was useful, reliable, and wellestablished, and to reject only what was valueless or mererepetition.
The subjects treated are all classed that they may have easyreference, and admit of consultation at a moment's notice.
The little book goes forth with one pretension only, one ambitionalone—to be useful.
CONTENTS.
Etiquette and Its Uses
Introductions
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