any a fish
supper, but fruits are an appropriate addition. Coffee must be given
with all suppers.

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BALLS, DANCING AND MASQUERADES

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Balls, to distinguish them from other evening gatherings where dancing
is one of the features of the evening, may be designated as parties
given for the express purpose of dancing.

Balls should begin at about nine o'clock in the evening, and terminate
at two or three in the morning. A private ball may be a very elaborate
affair, from fifty to seventy-five guests being necessary to make the
occasion enjoyable. Where the size of the ball-room will permit, many
more are frequently bidden. Over-crowding should be guarded against,
as ruinous to the toilets of the ladies, and the pleasure of all
concerned. The invitations to very elaborate affairs are sometimes
sent out from three weeks to one month in advance.

It is always proper for an invited guest to solicit an invitation for
a young lady visitor, or some stranger of distinction, or for a young
gentleman known to be a dancing man, and it is always permissible for
the hostess, if she wish, to refuse such solicitations on the ground
that her list is full, and no one should feel offended at such
refusal. Should the request, however, be for the admission of an
eligible, dancing man, it is rarely refused.

Never more than three from one family (the mother or chaperon
excepted) should accept an invitation to a ball, or party, unless in
the case of a ball, where two brothers, if they dance, may be
accompanied by two sisters from the same family. Those who do not
dance should refuse invitations to balls (chaperons excepted). The
most brilliant man who does not dance is usually out of place in an
entertainment given for that sole purpose.

The ball-room should be large; the floor well waxed, or covered with
drugget, and an abundance of palms and potted plants set about to make
cosy nooks just lighted by a shaded lamp. Cut flowers may be massed
upon the mantels with gorgeous effect. If the stairway be of
sufficient breadth, it should be bravely furnished forth with plants
in bloom. If it should be a first-floor room and open into the cool
dusk of a faintly lighted conservatory, then it is everything to be
desired for the occasion. Good ventilation is an absolute necessity.

Invite at least one quarter more guests than can be comfortably
accommodated, since about that number will fail, from different