Evening journal., 1897-08-28
COUNTRY ETIQUETTE.
sc1ne Advice to Those Who Live II
Suburban Districts.

Suburban Districts.
There are some people who imagine
that residents in the country are igno-
rant of and Indifferent to all matters
connected with etiquette, that they do
not trouble either to know or to do the
correct thing, that they throw all cere-
mony to the winds and follow the die
tates of their own sweet will in all so
cial matters. This is, of course, an eS-
treme view, but it is one that is to GER
tain extent held by some folks, though
it is all entirely erroneous, for country
folk are not only just as, but more,
particular about these matters than
are the dwellers in town, for new ideas
and new ways, both of manner and
speech, are not so easily accepted or
adopted by the former as by the latter.
There is no doubt less stiffness and
more sociability in the country, for peo-
pie are thrown more together and are
more dependent upon one another for
companionship, for kindness and atten-
ton. 1t makes little or no difference
who is ones neighbor in town, but in
the country it is a most important mat
ter Although the rules OF eti-
quette that govern society are
the same in the country rs in
the town, there are one or two little
customs that are dissimilar, as, for in
stance, the matter of first visits. The
newcomer can neither call nor leave
cards first. 1t is the residents who
take the initiative in the matter, and
this, whether they have a previous ac-
quaintance with the newcomer or not,
and the same rule regarding first Wis
its holds good also in country towns
and old cathedral cities.
In the country, when visitors call
early in the afternoon, which is often
the case when people live at some dis
tance from one another and have a long
drive. tea should be ordered for them
by the hostess, even if it should be ear
lier than the usual hour for it; and,
though wine is never offered to after
noon callers in towns. it is quite cor
rect to offer the gentlemen visitors in
the country. When q lady drives her
self, and has no groom in attendance
for though ladies do not drive them
| selves in the town without being at
tended by the groom, they often do
so in the country-the servant who
opens the door for them sends for some
one to hold the horse or pony. When
this is done, the lady, at the conclu-
sion of her visit, should give the man
or boy who does this for her some
little gratuity in return for his serv-
ices. This is always expected Of her.
and shouldnot be forgotten. The sum
given should not be a large one-a siN-
pence or a shilling will be quite suifi-
cient for the purpose. OF course, when
a groom is in attendance this is not nee
essary. Sometimes when visitors have
driven long distances-which is often
the case in the Countrywide carriage,
instead OF remaining at the door, as
in town, is sent round to the stables,
and the horses taken out. When this
has been done the visitor, before rising
to take leave of her hostess. should ask
if she might ring and order her car
riage, and the hostess, unless a gentle
man is present to do so for her, rings
the beH, and when the servant enters,
the visitor should ask for her carriage.
When it comes around, the servant
returns and announces that it is ready.
and the visitor then rises and takes leave
of the hostess. She does not go out and
wait i'm the hall until the carriage
comes around, but remains in the draw
ing-room with her hostess until its ar
rival is announced.-London Lady.