ards principally devolves upon the mistress of a house; a wife
should leave cards for her husband, as well as for herself; and a
daughter for her father. The master of a house has little or no
card-leaving to do, beyond leaving cards upon his bachelor friends.

In the country it is otherwise, and those who return home are called
upon by their friends and acquaintances in the first instance, unless
under exceptional circumstances.

Ladies arriving in town should leave cards on their acquaintances and
friends to intimate that they have returned.

Visiting cards should be left in person, and should not be sent by post,
although in town, when the distance is considerable, it is tacitly
allowed; but, as a rule, ladies invariably leave their cards themselves.
On arriving in town for the season ladies having a large acquaintance
often send their visiting cards to their various friends and
acquaintances by a man-servant or through a stationer.

* * * * *

=The Routine of Card-leaving.=--As regards the routine of card-leaving.
When driving, a lady should desire her footman to inquire if the
mistress of the house at which she is calling is "at home." If not "at
home," and it is a first call, she should hand him _three_ cards--_one_
of her own, and _two_ of her husband's. Her card is left for the
mistress of the house, and her husband's cards for both master and
mistress.

If not a first call a lady should leave one only of her husband's cards
if his acquaintance with her friend's husband is an intimate one and
they are in the habit of meeting frequently. If, on the contrary, they
know each other but slightly, and meet but seldom, then two of his cards
should be left. This, however, not on every occasion of calling.

When a lady is merely leaving cards, she should hand the three cards to
her servant, saying, "For Mrs. ----." This ensures the cards being left
at the right address, and is the correct formula for the occasion.

When a lady is walking, and finds the mistress of the house at which she
calls is "not at home," she should act as above.

When a lady intends making a call she should ask if "Mrs. ---- is at
home?" And if the answer is in the affirmative, she should, after making
the call, leave _two_ of her husband's cards on the hall table, and
neither put them in the card-basket nor leave them on the drawing-room
table, nor offer them to her hostess, all of which would be very
incor