A mother is always at liberty to introduce her son or daughter; a
husband is supposed always to introduce his wife, and a wife her
husband.

What Should Follow the Introduction.

Nowadays, the usual recognition of an introduction is by a formal bow.
Handshaking rarely occurs and a gentleman introduced to a lady never
offers his hand unless she should first extend her own. The
inclination on the part of the lady is slight, that of the gentleman
deeper. The custom of a courtesy by the lady has scarcely taken root
in this country.

A hostess receiving in her own parlors is at liberty, if she should
wish, to extend her hand to all comers.

A gentleman upon being introduced to a lady usually suggests that he
is "Happy to make her acquaintance," or, "Delighted to make the
acquaintance of Miss B----," though, if he choose, he may simply bow,
repeating her name. A lady, upon introduction to a gentleman, simply
bows, possibly repeating his name, but never is "happy" or "delighted"
to make his acquaintance. The pleasure is supposed to be upon his
part, the condescension upon her side. She should, however, upon his
expression of pleasure, bow, with a slight smile, or a murmured "Thank
you," in return, though, a married lady, especially if she be a little
the elder, may cordially say she is "glad to meet him."

It is the place of a gentleman, after an introduction to a lady, to
make some remark calculated to set the conversational ball rolling,
and she should endeavor to supplement his efforts sufficiently to keep
up the conversation. If, however, the gentleman be younger than the
lady and somewhat embarrassed, she should show sufficient tact to open
the conversation herself. If the introduction is between two ladies,
the one who is introduced should make the first remark.

Letters of Introduction are fully commented upon and explained in this
volume in the Department on Correspondence, where the proper forms for
such letters are given.

All introductions, however annoying, should be received pleasantly and
acknowledged fully while under the roof where they are given, though,
an hour after, the two might pass one another in speechless silence.
This is for the hostess' sake, and so great is this solicitude on the
part of the well-bred that mortal enemies have met and smiled across
the mahogany of a mutual friend, thus preventing the utter chagrin of
a hostess who discovers, by frowning faces and averted gaze, that her
ca