Social Life; or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society
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Chapters (1033)
- E-text prepared by Curtis Weyant, Linda Cantoni, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by the Preservation Department, Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University (http://library.case.edu/ksl/whoweare/departments/preservation/digitized.html)
- Social Life
- OR The Manners and Customs of Polite Society
- CONTAINING THE RULES OF ETIQUETTE FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND FORMING A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SELF-CULTURE IN CONVERSATION, DRESS, DEPORTMENT, CORRESPONDENCE, THE CARE OF CHILDREN AND THE HOME.
- EMBELLISHED WITH COLORED PHOTOTYPES.
- PREFACE.
- CONTENTS.
- The Essence of Etiquette.
- The Influence of Good Manners.
- The Marks of True Politeness.
- The Great Value of Courtesy.
- Rules of Etiquette.
- An English Custom.
- You May Introduce Yourself.
- A Custom Out of Date.
- Forms of Introduction.
- What Should Follow the Introduction.
- A Lady’s Wishes Should be Respected.
- SALUTATIONS.
- Removing the Hat.
- The Privilege of Recognition.
- Returning Salutations.
- Shaking Hands.
- Words of Salutation.
- The Good Listener.
- Suitable Topics.
- Misuse of Quotations.
- “Small Talk.”
- A Valuable Source of Knowledge.
- Cultivate Your Mind.
- “Drawing Out Others.”
- The Passion for Argument.
- Wit and Humor.
- Evil Speaking.
- “Telling Stories.”
- Absent-Mindedness.
- Profuse Compliments.
- Contradictions and Interjections.
- Voice and Manner.
- Conversational Sins.
- Use of the Lips and Facial Expressions.
- Control Your Temper.
- Misuse of Initials.
- Visiting Cards.
- Style of the Card.
- Size of the Card.
- Engraving the Name.
- Address on Cards.
- Cards for Gentlemen.
- Cards for Receptions.
- Foreign Phrases.
- P.P.C. Cards.
- Turning Down the Corners.
- How to Leave Cards.
- Number of Cards to be Left.
- Calls upon Young Ladies.
- How to Send Cards.
- When to Leave Cards.
- Entertainments and Calls.
- Other Hints.
- Various Cards.
- Acknowledgment of Inquiry Cards.
- Length of Visits.
- The Art of Leaving.
- When Ready to Leave, Go at Once.
- First Calls.
- Substitute for First Call.
- Morning and Evening Visits.
- Sunday Visits.
- Reception Days.
- “Not at Home,” “Engaged.”
- Visiting List.
- Visits Between Ladies and Gentlemen.
- “Out of Society.”
- Conduct of the Hostess.
- Entertaining Callers.
- Conduct of the Guests.
- Deference to Ladies.
- What Not to Do.
- The Reception-Room.
- Note Paper for Invitations.
- Invitation Cards.
- Written Regrets.
- Uninvited Guests.
- Inviting Married People.
- Dinners.
- Asking for Invitations.
- Evening Parties, Balls and “At Homes.”
- Masquerades.
- Musicales, Soirées and Matinées.
- Garden Parties.
- Breakfasts, Luncheons and Suppers.
- Teas and “Kettledrums.”
- Kaffee Klatsch.
- Suppers.
- Coming-out Parties.
- Receptions.
- Weddings.
- How Invitations are Sent.
- Wedding Invitations.
- Announcement Cards.
- Wedding Anniversaries.
- “No Presents Received.”
- Revise the Visiting List.
- Answering an Invitation.
- Accepting a Dinner Invitation.
- Accepting a Dinner Invitation.
- Declining a Dinner Invitation.
- Persons in Mourning.
- Addressing the Answer.
- Wedding Invitations.
- Wedding Anniversaries.
- Theater and Opera Parties.
- Luncheons and Suppers.
- Other Invitations.
- Refusing After Acceptance.
- What Not to Do.
- Errors of Love-Making.
- How to Carry on Courtship.
- A Case to the Point.
- Choice of Associates.
- First Steps.
- Character.
- Disposition.
- Trifling.
- Etiquette of Making and Receiving Gifts.
- Proposals of Marriage.
- Unbecoming Haste.
- How to Deal with Objections.
- Sealing the Vow.
- A Full Understanding.
- Important Trifles.
- Love Feeds on Love.
- The Best of all Possessions.
- The Source of Miseries.
- How to Cherish Love.
- Conduct Toward Parents.
- Length of Engagements.
- Broken Engagements.
- Etiquette of Married Life.
- The Art of Agreeableness.
- Duty Toward One Another.
- Home Attire.
- Household and Personal Expenses.
- A Pleasant Disposition.
- Boarding Versus Home Life.
- Paying for the Cards.
- Naming the Day.
- Announcing the Engagement.
- Wedding Gifts.
- List of Invitations.
- Ushers.
- “The Best Man.”
- Bridemaids.
- A Church Wedding.
- After the Ceremony.
- The Reception.
- Refreshments.
- Rehearsals.
- The Wedding Breakfast.
- Departure.
- Home Weddings.
- Invitations to Church Weddings.
- Dress for the Occasion.
- Morning Costume.
- A Quiet Wedding.
- Re-marriage.
- The Ring.
- Reception Days.
- WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES.
- Suitable Presents.
- Speeches and Congratulations.
- Courtesies of Married Life.
- What Women Admire.
- What Men Desire.
- Fault-Finding.
- Home Conversation.
- Slang and Exaggerations.
- Some Do’s for Girls.
- Young Ladies, Take Heed.
- Some Do’s for Boys.
- Guard the Voice.
- How to Treat Servants.
- Have Rules and Enforce Them.
- Rights of Others.
- Power of Example.
- Keeping Promises.
- Talebearing.
- Truthfulness.
- Respectfulness.
- Obedience.
- Manner of Address.
- Interrupting Conversation.
- “Showing Off.”
- Reproof Before Others.
- Cleanliness and Order.
- Home Hints.
- “Visiting.”
- Slang, Profanity, Intemperance.
- At Table.
- Leaving the Table.
- Invitations.
- Host and Hostess.
- Whom to Invite.
- Seating the Guests.
- Laying the Table.
- A Well-Furnished Sideboard.
- Table Decorations.
- Lighting the Table.
- Serving the Dinner.
- How the Dishes are to be Passed.
- Serving the Different Courses.
- The Menu.
- Favors.
- Wines, and How to Serve Them.
- Gracefully Declined.
- Order of Precedence.
- Informal and Easy.
- French Terms.
- Right or Left Arm?
- Further Hints.
- American Dinner Services.
- Directions to Waiters.
- Salads and Desserts.
- Dinner Dress.
- Coming and Going.
- Functions.
- Dinner Favors.
- The Breakfast Table.
- Knives, Forks and Napkins.
- The Dinner Table.
- The Supper Table.
- The Lunch Table.
- Signs of Ill-Breeding.
- The Fork.
- The Spoon.
- The Knife.
- Adam’s Knives and Forks.
- Napkin and Finger-Bowl.
- Avoiding Fruit Stains.
- General Table Etiquette.
- How to Treat Waiters.
- Sundry Rules and Hints.
- Use of Knife and Fork.
- Disgusting Habits.
- Fruits.
- Invitations.
- Receiving.
- Should Make Every One Happy.
- Making Things Easy for the Hostess.
- Entertainment.
- Duties of the Guests.
- Beware of too Much Reserve.
- Hours of Arrival and Departure.
- RECEPTIONS.
- Evening Receptions.
- Morning Receptions or Matinées.
- Correct Dress.
- SUPPER PARTIES.
- A Simple Supper.
- A Game Supper.
- A Fish Supper.
- General Arrangements.
- Concerning the Music.
- Refreshments.
- Host and Hostess.
- Arrival and Departure.
- The Escort.
- Receiving Ladies.
- General Rules for Observance.
- Formality of Introductions.
- Attentions Paid to Ladies.
- For Ladies.
- DANCING.
- The Most Desirable Dances.
- No Favorites to be Allowed.
- Private Balls Given in Public.
- Public Balls.
- MASQUERADES.
- Choice of Costumes.
- Suitable Dress.
- Receiving Guests.
- The Entertainment.
- Invitations.
- Duty of Guests.
- MUSICALES.
- Arranging the Program.
- Arrangement of Performers and Guests.
- LAWN PARTIES.
- Amusements to be Provided.
- Tables and Refreshments.
- Seats.
- Lawn Parties for Charity.
- Concerning the Viands.
- Bill of Fare for Breakfast.
- Wedding Breakfast Menu.
- A Bachelor Breakfast.
- A Golden-Rod Breakfast.
- Choice Blending of Colors.
- LUNCHEONS.
- Luncheon Refreshments.
- Entering the Dining-Room.
- Lunch or Luncheon.
- Luncheon Favors.
- Some Betrothal Luncheons.
- Blue and White Tableware.
- A Dresden Luncheon.
- CONCERNING TEAS.
- High Tea.
- Menu.
- Five O’clock Teas, or “At Homes.”
- The Five O’clock Tea Table.
- Pages.
- Receiving Friends.
- The Eatables.
- “Bringing Out” a Débutante.
- Gentlemen Visitors.
- How to Leave.
- An Afternoon Tea-Saucer.
- “Pink and Blue Teas.”
- Invitations for Theater Parties.
- Dress for the Opera.
- Picnic Parties.
- What to Eat.
- Tongue and Sandwiches.
- Chaperons.
- A Marshmallow Toast.
- Roof Parties.
- Bachelor’s Parties.
- A Flower Party.
- Bicycle Teas.
- A Barn Party.
- Bachelor Women and their Entertainments.
- A Sandwich Spread.
- Private Theatricals.
- A Social Evening.
- Authors’ Parties
- Firelight Parties
- Conversaziones.
- A Country Dinner.
- Etiquette of Card Playing and Games.
- Outdoor Amusements.
- Hunting Parties.
- Archery, Lawn Tennis and Croquet.
- Boating and Yachting.
- Children’s Parties.
- The Christening.
- Attendance at the Ceremony.
- Godfathers and Godmothers.
- Candle Party.
- Christening Gifts.
- Dainty Presents for the Newcomer.
- Some Birthday Superstitions.
- CONFIRMATION.
- GRADUATION.
- Avoid all Extravagance.
- Funeral Invitations.
- Showing Respect for the Dead.
- To a Lady on the Death of her Husband.
- To a Friend on the Death of Her Sister.
- To a Friend on the Death of His Brother.
- To a Friend on the Death of Her Child.
- To a Friend on a Sudden Reverse of Fortune.
- Etiquette in Church.
- Etiquette of Fairs.
- Etiquette of Shopping.
- Etiquette of the Theatre, Opera and Concert.
- Between the Acts.
- Etiquette of the Street.
- Evading a Long Talk.
- ETIQUETTE OF RIDING.
- THE ETIQUETTE OF BOATING.
- Assisting Ladies to Their Seats.
- Who Should Row.
- A Popular Exercise.
- A Cycler’s Guide.
- Maids Do Duty.
- A Man’s Duty.
- Assisting the Lady.
- On the Road.
- For Protection Against Dogs.
- A Few Don’ts for Cyclers.
- Women’s Bicycle Rides.
- Length of the Ride.
- Skirts are an Abomination.
- A Pace Indicator.
- Don’t Dodge a Bicycle.
- Observing the Rules.
- Introduction of Friends.
- Barring Out Disputed Questions.
- Presiding at a Woman’s Club.
- Order of Business.
- Influence of Women.
- Effect of Cultured Manners.
- A Sympathetic Nature.
- Power through Repose.
- A Good Listener.
- How Men are Spoiled.
- Who Bows First?
- “Lady” or “Gentleman?”
- Misuse of the Term “Lady.”
- A Promissory Note.
- A Joint Note.
- A Receipt on Account.
- A Receipt in Full.
- Form for a Bill.
- What and What Not to Say.
- Various Hints on Etiquette.
- First Attentions for Ladies.
- Minor Usages of the Best Society.
- Breaches of Etiquette.
- The Recognized Head.
- Formal Calls.
- Ministers from Foreign Countries.
- The Three Languages.
- Harmonious Development of the Body.
- Relaxing the Muscles.
- Art of Breathing.
- Position of the Shoulders.
- Standing and Walking.
- Stair-Climbing.
- Art of “Letting Go.”
- On Corset Wearing.
- General Remarks.
- Stout and Thin.
- Tall or Short.
- Decorations.
- Décolleté Costume.
- Graceful Sleeves.
- Purchasing.
- The Young Girl.
- Diamonds and Precious Stones.
- Plump Women.
- Black Satin and Sparkling Jets.
- Complexion Determines Dress Colors.
- Combinations of Color.
- Red Hair, with Brown Eyes.
- Red Hair, with Gray or Green Eyes.
- The Ineffective Type.
- Stylish and Appropriate Jewels.
- Black Hair, Rather Sallow Skin.
- Black Hair, Clear Skin, Blue Eyes.
- Chestnut Hair, Fair Skin, Blue Eyes.
- Almost Any Color.
- Gray Hair.
- The Black Gown.
- Various Hints.
- The Choice of Colors.
- Harmony and Contrast of Colors.
- Dress at Home.
- The General Fitness.
- Common-Sense Sleeves.
- Gloves and Shoes.
- Artifices of the Toilet.
- When to Wear Jewels.
- Use of Scents and Flowers.
- The Face Veil.
- When to Wear Gloves.
- When to Wear Low-cut Gowns.
- Ball Dress.
- Opera Dress.
- Theater Costume.
- Dinner Dress.
- Traveling Notes.
- Bridal Dress.
- Bridemaid’s Dress.
- What Wedding Guests Wear.
- Ordinary Evening Dress.
- Dress for Church.
- Receiving Calls.
- Calling or Visiting Costume.
- Walking Dress.
- Carriage Dress.
- Dress for Lent.
- Dress for Riding.
- Lawn Parties.
- Picnics and Excursions.
- Croquet, Archery, Skating, Etc.
- Bathing Dress.
- Yachting Dress.
- Dress for Gentlemen.
- Evening Dress for Gentlemen.
- Morning Dress for Gentlemen.
- Wedding Dress for Gentlemen.
- Gloves for Gentlemen.
- General Hints.
- Evening Suit for Boys.
- A Rare Accomplishment.
- The Style,
- Grammar and Orthography.
- Handwriting, Paper and Ink
- Common Abbreviations.
- The Proper Salutation.
- Use of the Husband’s Name.
- Punctuation Marks.
- Writing the Superscription.
- Points to be Remembered.
- Titles.
- Domestic Titles.
- Social and Friendly Letters.
- Letters of Introduction.
- A Letter of Recommendation
- Letters of Condolence
- Letters of Congratulation
- Proposals, Engagements, “Naming the Day,”
- Notes Accompanying a Gift
- Notes of Apology
- Notes of Postponement
- Notes of Request or Refusal
- Business Letters
- Answers to Advertisements
- Some Don’ts and Do’s for Letter-Writers.
- Fireplaces and Windows.
- Stairways.
- Woodwork.
- Doors.
- A Door Divan.
- An Improvised Bookcase.
- Screens.
- Draperies.
- Some Useful Bits of Furniture.
- A Hanging Desk.
- A Window Desk.
- A Hall Chest.
- Cozy Corners.
- Plenty of Pillows.
- A Corner Closet.
- Piano Decoration.
- Lighting.
- Decorating.
- Home of the Soul.
- Some Lovely Rooms.
- As to Furniture.
- Pictures.
- Mottoes.
- Treatment for a Rough Skin.
- Reducing Flesh.
- Refreshing Sleep.
- How to Take Care of the Eyes.
- The Hair and How to Take Care of It.
- An Excellent Head Covering.
- Recipe for the Complexion.
- Care of the Lips.
- Remedies for the Lips.
- Smoothing Out the Wrinkles.
- The Feminine Waist.
- Beautiful Arms.
- Treatment for the Hands.
- Scissors and Nail-brush.
- To Cure Burning of the Skin.
- Remedy for Chilblains.
- Foot-Wear.
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CastReader uses Kokoro TTS, a natural-sounding AI voice. It handles punctuation, names, and dialogue naturally. Most listeners forget it's AI after a few minutes.
Can I listen on my phone?
Yes. Open the book, then use "Send to Phone" to stream audio to your phone via Telegram. No app download needed.