g the conversation to become too general.

At large gatherings, persons desirous of avoiding each other's
acquaintanceship, could be present at the house of a mutual acquaintance
without coming into direct contact with one another, providing the host
and hostess possessed sufficient tact and discretion not to attempt to
effect a _rapprochement_ between them.

* * * * *

=At Country-house Parties=, the hostess should introduce the principal
ladies to one another on the first day of their arrival; but if it is a
large party, introductions should not be generally made, but should be
made according to the judgment of the hostess. The fact of persons being
guests in the same house constitutes in itself an introduction, and it
rests with the guests thus brought together whether the acquaintanceship
ripens into subsequent intimacy or not.

The same remark applies in a degree to afternoon teas and "at homes."
The guests converse with each other if inclined to do so. The act of so
conversing would not constitute an acquaintanceship, although it might,
under some circumstances, establish a bowing acquaintanceship,
especially between gentlemen.

Ladies should not bow to each other after only exchanging a few remarks
at afternoon tea, or at a garden-party, unless there were some
particular social link between them to warrant their so doing, in which
case the lady of highest rank should take the initiative.

* * * * *

=Introductions at Public Balls.=--It is erroneous to suppose that it is
the duty of stewards to make introductions at public balls; it is the
exception, and not the rule, for stewards to introduce persons to each
other who are strangers to themselves.

Society objects, and the stewards object, to making promiscuous
introductions, on the following grounds: first, as regards the chaperon,
whether mother or relative, who has the charge of a young lady; then as
regards a young lady herself; and last, but not least, as regards the
position occupied by the steward himself. A chaperon naturally looks and
feels displeased when a steward who is a stranger to herself offers to
introduce a man who is evidently a stranger to him, which fact she
gathers by his saying, "This gentleman wishes to be introduced to your
daughter," or by his asking the stranger his name before making the
introduction. A chaperon is responsible for the acquaintances a young
lady forms