the hours of eight and nine, and ordinarily should never extend in
length beyond the hour of ten.

Sunday Visits.

Gentlemen are permitted to call upon lady friends, Sundays after
church and Sunday evenings, business cares being their excuse for not
availing themselves of the other days of the week. Of course, if there
exists any known objection in the family to Sunday visiting all their
friends are bound to respect it.

Reception Days.

If a lady have a known reception day, callers are bound, in common
politeness, to make their visits, as far as possible, upon that day.
If this is not done, either a card only should be left, or, if a
personal visit is intended, particular instructions should be given to
the servant to the effect that if "Mrs. Brown is otherwise engaged she
is not to trouble herself to come down." For which thoughtfulness,
"Mrs. Brown," if she be a busy woman, and troubled with many social
cares, will cordially thank you.

Unfortunately, it often happens that many of our friends have the same
reception day, and one's own "day" may conflict with that of one's
nearest friend, so that, where the circle of acquaintance is large,
much good nature, a few apologies and a great many cards are needed to
safely balance the social accounts.

It is considered a rudeness to simply leave a card, when one happens
to arrive upon a lady's reception day, without entering the room for a
few moments' visit.

"Not at Home," "Engaged."

The simple and necessary formulae of, "Not at home," or "Engaged," are
more frequently questioned than any other social custom. Nevertheless
their use is often a necessity, while, on the contrary, their abuse is
to be regretted. No suspicion of an untruth need apply to either, for
the phrase, "Not at home," is used with the accepted signification of,
"Not at home, for the time being, to any visitors." If, however,
conscience rebels against this so transparent fraud, there is always
the alternative of "Engaged," which carries not the least suspicion of
deception with it, but is somewhat less gracious to the ear.

Indeed, were it not for these safeguards, the woman of society must
bid good-by to all opportunities for solitude, self-improvement, or
the fulfillment of her own social duties.

The servant should be very carefully instructed each morning as to the
formulae to be employed through the day, or such portion of the day as
the lady of the house shall require to herself