The sun., 1912-08-04
BALL CUSTOMS A CENTURY AGO.
Harp ana F1ute Accom- pa nine nts at
Dances-Rormnl Introd uctions,


the tastes OF the day. have lost great dea
OF the dignity Of a generation or two ago.
Early In tho last century there was less
difference between the fashionable ball
Of great hostesses and smaller dances.
Boy and girl dances were unknown The
position Of the chaperon had not been
impeached.
However strict the etiquette to-day
of the State balls at Buckingham Palace
and Windsor. says the London Erening
Standard. manners and customs In or
dinary society have lapsed FROM the
highly strung conventions of our great :
grandmothers early in the last century.
when set Quadrilles were de rigueur q
every private dance.
These quadrilles. laden with etiquette
and weighed down by rules Of precedence
were burden to the host ess and to young
brides bracing themselves for the ordeal
OF the first rout. Their regulations for
entertaining could be made by the ease
with which they would arrange set after
set, no that no confusion should take place
before the commencement OF each fresh
number.
Etiquette books Of the day provide food
for refhxtion nowadays. The maetresse
du bal had much to learn at the debut
of her career. So much more seems to
have depended upon tho giver OF a ball
than has to he borne to-day. when girls
seem to manage their own affairs. and the
band and the caterer do the rest.
Orchestras in those days consisted of
violins with harp and flute accompani-
ments. Much Of the quadrille music OF
the times WAS written for harp and fute.
and probably many a young lady during
the extras had they relaxed their strict
rules to allow such things-would have
been able To obligc the company with a
harp accompaniment.
Guests arrived in those days between
0 and ~. This latitude allowed a hostess
to effect all the necessary introductions
ono by one and to arrange the different
quadrilles. taking her invites in order as
they arrived. A great deal was made
OF formal introductions. A hostess took |
this duty upon herself. and blushing young
ladies could look forward with COM
placency to their first balls or to their
position as strangers in a new county
without having TO contemplate u wall
flower position all the evening
Tea and coffee were usually served in
the cloak room. As soon as a sufficient
number Of dancers had arrived. the lady
OF the house left her position at the head
of the stairs and opened the ball, her hus-
band leading out the lady Of highest rank |
present Should the hostess refuse 10 |
dance. she busted herself in collecting |
together the next act to take the place !
Of those who had started.
sNOthinn disnIaya mora vvapt ,f
agement and method. says the writer
of an old etiquette book OF late Georgian |
lays. than "a dead pause after a dance,
while tho lady. all confusion at NO dis
agreeable circumstance. is begging
those to take their places who have per-
haps never been introduced to partners.
There should be no monopoly Of this de-
ightful recreation, hut all the dancers
N tho party should enjoy it in regular
Thes pauses. however. permitted re-
'reshments to be handed round. One can
out rarely imagine the confusion were
'Ootmen to arrive nowadays laden with
rays at tn conclusion Of valse or a
wostep and endeavOr TO press the ices
emonade, negus ind small rout cakes
IN chaperons and dancers which custom
supper in 1928 was served either at
lalf past IL or I o'clock. Both with
'egard to the pleasure Of her company
md her own comfort" says the writer
II the same manual, ia maitresse would
10 well to discountenance the habit, which ;
y sometimes sanctioned, OF the gentle
nen remaining long in the supper room
lfter the ladies' have retired. It fire. I
luently causes u formal party Of silent I
md listless fair ones, who seem to con-
ider this temporary suspension of their
amusement as an evil OF sufficient mag
litude to rob their countenances OF the
miles Of cheerfulness and good humor I
which they had worn during the preced-
ng part OF the evening""
The supper tables were crowded with
What they then regarded as "little deli
acies. Although We should hardly ,
include collared eels under this desiRna.
ion. these toOthsome fishes were part of ,
he ball supper menu, together with ,,
rawns. HOLSTERS. chickens, tongue. blanc-
mango. whips" fruit trifes, jellies and I
confectionery. Men were I
ot expected to sit or sup until the ladies !
ad retired. ,
Six weeks invitations were usual In
hose days. Cards were printed--as now ,
rom u copper plate. Either the card an ..
ounced that "Mrs. D" was .at :
ONE. the date appearing below with
ant out. In this case Mrs. C H :
,,ould request the pleasure Of Mr.. and !
lrs. -----'s company to an evening
arty Wednesday. July -. Dancing =
he favor Of All answer 10 desired"
: =. V; II. had no place In the invitations I