society. An introduction to the English Ambassador or
Minister at a foreign Court is of still greater service in this matter.

People of recognised position in society have the privilege of leaving
cards at the English Embassy at any foreign city in which they intend
making a temporary stay.

So thoroughly is the position of English travellers known to the English
Ministry at a foreign Court, that should a person, who is not received
in English society, leave cards at the English Embassy, they would be at
once returned as an intimation that the acquaintance is declined.

It is erroneous to suppose that by leaving cards upon foreigners of
distinction, an acquaintanceship can be commenced, for unless
introductions have been formally made, leaving cards is a useless
proceeding.

At far-away spots little frequented by the general run of travellers,
and where there are but few, if any, resident English, travellers
requiring advice or assistance from the English consul, can, without an
introduction, call upon him, nationality being the ground upon which to
do this, and if of equal social standing, they would be received with
social consideration; if otherwise, all assistance would be given to
them from an official point of view. Many people when travelling abroad
make pleasant acquaintances even without the help of introductions, the
occasion of a meeting being as it were a semi-introduction in itself.

Such casual acquaintanceships are, however, attended with certain risks,
especially to persons who have been absent from England some little
time, or who when in England have entered comparatively but little in
society, and who are thus apt to drift unawares into close friendships
with people perhaps well bred and agreeable, although tabooed at home
for some good and sufficient reason. _Contretemps_ such as these are
painful to kind-hearted people when subsequently compelled to avoid and
to relinquish the acquaintance of those with whom they have become
pleasantly intimate. An introduction to an English resident in either
town or city obviates any unpleasantness of this nature, as one so
situated is generally kept _au courant_ with all that takes place in
society at home.

* * * * *

=When persons desire to enter into society abroad= they endeavour to
obtain letters of introduction from friends and acquaintances to
residents in the cities they purpose visiting.

Unless English travellers