t each Government House for the purpose. The object of doing this is to
be received at Government House, and thus to obtain an entrance into the
society of the place. What follows upon this social observance--it
hardly merits the name of civility, such calls being actuated by
self-interest in the first instance--depends upon a variety of
circumstances, the position of the caller, and whether the stay is to be
permanent or temporary, whether introductions are brought or not, and so
on. The invitations extended to them are regulated accordingly. They may
be limited to afternoon "at homes"; or receptions, dinners, and dances
may be included; or a visit to the summer residence of the Governor and
his wife may also be reckoned amongst invitations, as this latter is not
an unusual display of hospitality accorded to certain individuals.

* * * * *

=How the Governor of a Colony should be addressed= by his guests depends
upon his rank. As he represents the sovereign, it would be quite correct
to address him as "Sir," as being the most deferential mode, and
Governors as a body rather like to be thus addressed. In the case of a
Governor being a knight--a very usual contingency--it would be equally
correct to address him as "Sir George," and not as "Sir." When a
Governor has not received knighthood, he should be addressed as "Mr.
A----," when it is not desired to be too stiff and formal.

In conversation, when referring to the Governor--he being present--it
should not be "The Governor," but "Lord Blank," "Sir George," or "Mr.
A---- said so and so," unless strangers are present, before whom it
would seem right to be a little formal.

In addressing a Governor by letter, the envelope should be directed to
"His Excellency Sir George Blank," however friendly its contents may be;
but when writing to a Governor's wife, it has not been thought right to
style her "Her Excellency," but simply "Lady Blank," unless in the case
of a Viceroy's wife, as in India or Ireland; but as against this the
point was raised some years ago, and it was then decided that the wives
of Governors were entitled to be so addressed.

Colloquially, the members of a Governor's suite refer to both the
Governor and his wife as "His" and "Her Excellency," and style them
"Your Excellency," and all who approach them officially, being of
inferior rank, do likewise; but socially they are seldom so addressed.

* * *