reputation of a ball if persons who are objectionable are
present at it.

In the case of a ticket being applied for for a person of doubtful
antecedents, a lady patroness's best course is to refer the applicant to
the ball committee for tickets or vouchers.

* * * * *

=Persons not well received in society=, or who have ostracised
themselves, have a predilection for public balls, and make every effort
to obtain tickets of admission; and in some cases, when a refusal has
been pronounced by the committee of a ball, the committee has been
threatened with legal proceedings.

Unmarried ladies seldom or ever act as lady patronesses, it not
being considered advisable to place the discretion of granting
tickets in their hands, lest their ignorance of the world should be
taken advantage of.

* * * * *

=The lady patronesses of a charity ball= who undertake to give vouchers
or to sell tickets, usually exert themselves to the utmost in inducing
as many of their friends as possible to attend the ball.

It depends upon the committee of a charity ball whether tickets are
presented or not to the lady patronesses and stewards; but if the funds
of the charity are not at a very low ebb, this is generally done in
recognition of their services.

The responsibilities of lady patronesses of private subscription balls
are light in comparison with those of public charity balls, as persons
who attend subscription balls are usually on the visiting lists of
one or other of the lady patronesses, while with regard to county
balls, lady patronesses are not usually concerned in the disposal of
the tickets.

CHAPTER XLII

PERIODS OF MOURNING

=The Various Periods of Mourning= for relatives have within the last few
years been materially shortened, and the change generally accepted; but
as some still prefer to adhere to the longest periods prescribed by
custom, in the present chapter both periods are given, and it entirely
depends upon individual feeling and circumstances which of the two
periods is observed.

The time-honoured custom of wearing crape has greatly declined, and with
the exception of widows, many do not wear it at all, while others wear
it as a trimming only.

A slighter change has also taken place in favour of half-mourning
colours, which are now more worn than black and white during the
half-mourning period.

* * * *