ontinued by not leaving cards, or by not
calling again, and if the new-comers feel disinclined to continue the
acquaintance they should return the calls by leaving cards only. Calling
on new-comers in the country should not be done indiscriminately, and
due consideration should be paid to individual status in society.

The lady of highest social position in the circle to which the
new-comers belong generally takes the responsibility of calling first on
the new-comers. By new-comers is expressed persons who intend to reside
in a county or town for a long, or even for a short period, and who are
not casual visitors in the place.

The custom of residents calling on new-comers is entirely confined to
county society, and does not apply to residents in large towns and
populous watering-places.

In old cathedral cities and quiet country towns, far from the
metropolis, on the contrary, the rule holds good of residents calling
on new-comers.

* * * * *

=Cards "To Inquire."=--Cards to inquire after friends during their
illness should be left in person, and should not be sent by post; but
they may be sent by a servant. On a lady's visiting card should be
written above the printed name: "To inquire after Mrs. Smith." When the
person inquired after is sufficiently recovered to return thanks in
person, the usual visiting card, with "many thanks for kind inquiries,"
written above the printed name, is the usual mode of returning thanks,
and is all-sufficient for the purpose.

* * * * *

=P.P.C. Cards.=--Formerly P.P.C. cards were left within a week of
departure, or within ten days if the acquaintance was a large one.

The letters P.P.C. for _pour prendre conge_, written at the lower corner
of visiting cards, indicate departure from town or from a neighbourhood.
P.P.C. cards may be left in person or sent by a servant; they can also
be sent by post. The object of leaving P.P.C. cards is to avoid
leave-takings and correspondence concerning departure, and to prevent
offence being given if letters and invitations remained unanswered.

In the country an absence of from three to six months renders leaving
P.P.C. cards somewhat necessary; under that period it would be
unnecessary to give notice of a temporary absence which does not amount
to an actual departure. Short absences render it unnecessary to leave
P.P.C. cards. Holiday movements at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun