ce. It is to be added, however, that the occupations of drawing,
music, or reading should be suspended on the entrance of morning
visitors. If a lady, however, be engaged with light needlework, and none
other is appropriate in the drawing-room, it may not be, under some
circumstances, inconsistent with good breeding to quietly continue it
during conversation, particularly if the visit be protracted, or the
visitors be gentlemen.

Formerly the custom was to accompany all visitors quitting the
house to the door, and there take leave of them; but modern
society, which has thrown off a great deal of this kind of
ceremony, now merely requires that the lady of the house should
rise from her seat, shake hands, or courtesy, in accordance with
the intimacy she has with her guests, and ring the bell to
summon the servant to attend them and open the door. In making a
first call, either upon a newly-married couple, or persons newly
arrived in the neighbourhood, a lady should leave her husband's
card together with her own, at the same time, stating that the
profession or business in which he is engaged has prevented him
from having the pleasure of paying the visit, with her. It is a
custom with many ladies, when on the eve of an absence from
their neighbourhood, to leave or send their own and husband's
cards, with the letters P. P. C. in the right-hand corner. These
letters are the initials of the French words, "_Pour prendre
conge_," meaning, "To take leave."

32. THE MORNING CALLS BEING PAID OR RECEIVED, and their etiquette
properly attended to, the next great event of the day in most
establishments is "The Dinner;" and we only propose here to make a few
general remarks on this important topic, as, in future pages, the whole
"Art of Dining" will be thoroughly considered, with reference to its
economy, comfort, and enjoyment.

33. IN GIVING OR ACCEPTING AN INVITATION FOR DINNER, the following is
the form of words generally made use of. They, however, can be varied in
proportion to the intimacy or position of the hosts and guests:--

Mr. and Mrs. A---- present their compliments to Mr. and Mrs. B----,
and request the honour, [or hope to have the pleasure] of their
company
to dinner on Wednesday, the 6th of December next.

A---- STREET,
_November 13th, 1859. R. S. V. P._

The letters in the corner imply "_Repondez, s'il vous plait;_"