a breach of etiquette to go to the room of an invalid unless
invited.

It is a breach of etiquette to look at your watch when calling.

It is a breach of etiquette to walk around the room when waiting for
the hostess.

It is a breach of etiquette for the caller to open or shut a door,
raise or lower a window curtain, or in any other way alter the
arrangement of a room.

It is a breach of etiquette to turn your chair so as to bring your
back to some one near you.

It is a breach of etiquette when making a call to play with any
ornament in the room, or to seem to be aware of anything but the
company present.

It is a breach of etiquette to remain when you find the host or
hostess dressed to go out.

It is a breach of etiquette during a call to draw near the fire to
warm your hands or feet, unless you are invited by the mistress of the
house to do so.

It is a breach of etiquette to make remarks upon a caller who has just
left the room, whether by the hostess or visitors.

It is a breach of etiquette and a positive unkindness to call upon a
friend who is in reduced circumstances with any parade of wealth in
equipage or dress.

It is a breach of etiquette for the hostess to leave the room when
visitors are present.

It is a breach of etiquette to assume any ungraceful or uncouth
position, such as standing with the arms akimbo, sitting astride a
chair, smoking in the presence of ladies, wearing your hat, leaning
back in the chair, standing with legs crossed or feet on the chairs,
leaning forward in the chair with elbows on the knees. All these acts
stamp you as ill-bred and unpolished.

[Illustration]

WASHINGTON ETIQUETTE

[Illustration]

In addition to the ordinary rules of etiquette, official society in
Washington City is governed by a code of fixed laws. The social
observances of the White House are prescribed with great exactness,
and constitute the Court Etiquette of the Republic. At the very
commencement of the Government under the Constitution the social
question became one of great magnitude, and in order to adjust it upon
a proper basis, President Washington caused a definite _Code_ to be
drawn up; but the rules were too arbitrary and exacting to give
satisfaction, and society was not disposed to acknowledge so genuine
an equality as the code required among its members. Frequent and
bitter quarrels arose in consequence of the clashing of social claims,
and at last a code was agreed u