Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-14
THE Etiquette OF DANCING.
Effective Decorations and Brilliant
llluminntiOns Essentlal Elements.
written for the Dispatch.)

4
There are four elements essential to
successful dancing party-effective deco
rations, brilliant illumtuations, we'll
pointed supper. and the best OF music.
as many string pieces as the hostess can
afford.
Lemonade, tempered with appolonaris
water, Is appropriately served In a punch
bowl at one end of the reception-room.
Either the man or maid servant who
opens the front door must remain n the
hall. giving clear directions OF the way
TO the dressing-rooms.
There should be a capable woman al
ways In attendance In this same apart
ment. for the taking of Of wraps. butt
toning gloves, and adjusting shoes.
On the dressing table there should be
all the feminine appurtenances Of the
toilet such as shoe and glove-buttoners.
hair-pins. large and small toilet per-
fumery. and face-powdsr. the maid re-
naming during the evening in the room
to repair dresses II a stitch gives way
during the dancing hours
II the dancing is to take the form Of
cotillon. chairs should be provided for
the mothers of the chaperons: all other
furniture being removed, and breakable
objects carefully stored away for that
one night.
Young girls ought to dress In light
colors of gauze-like materials or fufry
stuffs, combined with delicate silks. But
all costumes should be selected to en-
hance the youthful appearance. while
their elders wear demi-toilettes becoming
the occasion.
The hostess can receive her guests
alone. or. If she has daughters or young
friends, they can assist her. Bat the
eldest son, or some young man friend.
should for that one evening be the
master OF ceremonies. making himself
generally useful in arranging affairs.
The hostess stands near the drawing
room 1oor her daughters or young
friends few feet away. yet near enough
TO receive the guests before the dancing
commences.
young lady enters the room first, her
chaperon following.
II there are ladies' without chaperon
coming with their maid. then the eldest
should take precedence. But generally
the chaperon Is on hand. a young mar
ried lady. accompanied by her husband,
naturally takes precedence. But to enter
leaning on the arm OF her husband Is
In very bad taste.
The dancing should be begun by tbs
eldest daughter Of the house, the hostess
selecting for her partner her nearest
kinsman or friend.
A basket Of flowers sent the same day
OF the dance to the hostess Of the occa-
sion is a graceful attention. And a gen.
tleman can in good taste send box
Of loose fowera to any young lady whom
ne knows Will be his partner In the cotif-
lon.
Young ladies after a dance request
their partners to leave them with their
chaperons after the german.
Young women would do well to remen,.
Der that new dances appear nearly every
season. and to be q success as a dancer
IL Is necessary TO acquire the last new
ballroom step.
Either the hostess or one OF her famiiN
should be the persons selected when an
Introduction Is desired at a dancing par
~.
All good walters are eagerly sought
after. but care should be taken that no
one gentleman should have this favor ex,
tended 10 him too often.
A young lady refusing one gentleman
for dance and accepting another Is a
breach of social etiquette. II, a refusal
Is once given. then she should not dance
In that set, whatever II may be.
The clever hostess takes care that all
guests have partners. The wall fiower'''
is unknown in the house Of good So
cal leader.
The host leads. with the most distin,
guished lady present, the way to the
supper-room. the hostess being the last
person to enter. A young lady can be
taken into supper by some gentleman
who desires to do this duty for her, and
II is to him alone she should expect at
tention at this time.
OLIVER BELLE BUNCE.