, and revived
with the old-fashioned dance. It is a pretty bit of old-time grace,
and is appropriate in responding to formal introductions and greetings
in the drawing-room, especially when paying respect to elderly people.
It is most effective when executed in a costume of voluminous
draperies. It is a woman's ceremonial; no man ever "curtseys." The
regulation "bow" is the only "deference" that gracefully combines with
a dress suit.

The _courtesy_ is a strictly formal obeisance, and the courtly
reverence which it embodies is something more abstract than concrete,
not necessarily inspired by the person to whom its deference is shown.
Like all greetings exchanged in the midst of crowds or in public
places, it is somewhat impersonal in manner. Personal recognitions and
distinctions are reserved for more private occasions. One's greetings
to fellow-guests at a reception are uniformly affable, irrespective of
personal preferences. Though our dearest friend and our direst foe
both be present, we must not pointedly discriminate between them; we
are not at liberty to use the parlors of our host for either a lover's
tryst or a duelling-ground.

A guest's first duty on entering a parlor or drawing-room is to pay his
or her respects to the hostess and the ladies who are receiving with
her. Gentlemen should also make it a point to find the host as soon as
possible, and extend to him a similar courtesy. The host, in turn,
when not receiving formally with the hostess, roams at large, giving a
hospitable greeting to each lady among his guests.

In America, when a lady and gentleman meet, after being duly
introduced, it is the lady's privilege to bow first. This rule
protects her from the intrusion of an unwelcome acquaintance. But when
the acquaintance is established and mutually agreeable, the rule is
immaterial.

In general, the elder or the more distinguished person bows first. But
if the one who for any reason would be the proper one to take the
initiative is known to be near-sighted, and liable to overlook an
acquaintance unintentionally, it is more polite for the other person
not to stand on ceremony.

It is interesting to note that on the continent of Europe the rule
regarding recognitions is exactly reversed. The subject bows first to
the king, the courtier to the lady; deference to a superior, rather
than social equality, being expressed by the bow.

One of the moot questions of the day is, "When is it p