Ball Room Etiquette...
 

• Never forget that ladies are to be first cared for, to have the best seats, the places of distinction and are entitled in all cases to your courteous protection.
  
   
• If you accompany your wife to a dancing party, be careful not to dance with her, except perhaps for the first set.
  
   
• Be very careful how you refuse to dance with a gentleman. A prior engagement will, of course, excuse you but if you plead fatigue, do not dance the set with another.
  
   
• Dance quietly, do not kick and caper about, nor sway your body to and fro, dance only from the hips downwards.
  
   
• Lead a lady as lightly as you would tread a measure with a spirit of gossamer.
  
   
• The fall of a couple is not a frequent occurrence in a ball room, but when it does happen it is almost always the man's fault. Girls take much more naturally to the graceful movements of the dance, and are, besides, more often taught in childhood than their brothers.
  
   
• Never remain in a ball room until all of the company have left, or even until the last set. It is ill-bred and looks as if you are unaccustomed to such pleasures and so desirous to prolong each one. Leave while there are two or three sets to be danced.
  
   
• It is best to carry two pairs of gloves, as in contact with dark dresses, or in handling refreshments, you may soil a pair and thus will be under the necessity of offering your hand covered in a soiled glove to some partner. You can slip unperceived from the room, change to a fresh pair and then avoid that mortification.

Ball Room Etiquette

       As in every other case where hospitality is extended to you by invitation, you must send your answer as soon as possible, accepting or declining the civility.

In preparing a costume for a ball, choose something very light. Heavy, dark silks are out of place in the ball room. and black should be worn in no material but lace.   For a married lady , rich silk of some light color, trimmed with flowers, lace, or tulle; white silk plain or lace over satin, make and exquisite toilette. Jewels are perfectly appropriate; also feathers in the coiffure.

For the young lady, Pure white or light colors should be worn, and the most appropriate dress is of some thin material made over silk, white, or the same color as the outer dress. Satin or velvet are entirely out of place on a young lady. Let the coiffure be of flowers or ribbons, never feathers, and but very little jewelry is becoming to an unmarried lady.   All ladies must wear boots or slippers of satin, white, black or the color of the dress. White are the most appropriate, black the most becoming to the foot. White kid gloves, full trimmed , a fine lace trimmed handkerchief, and a fan are indispensable.  Be very careful when dressing for a ball, that the hair is firmly fastened, and the coiffure properly adjusted. Nothing is more