is not the province of the stewards of a ball to find partners for
either ladies or gentlemen, and therefore, if a lady does not form one
of a large party, but merely attends a county ball with a relative or
friend, and has not a large acquaintance amongst these present, she has
very little chance of obtaining partners.

Young ladies do not now return to their chaperons after each dance, or
after they have been to the tea-room.

A gentleman should offer his arm to his partner at the conclusion of a
dance to conduct her to the tea-room. In round dances, it is customary
to take frequent pauses, and not to race round the ball-room until the
music ceases.

At country balls programmes are invariably used; at London balls they
are never used, save at public balls.

County balls usually commence between nine and ten o'clock, sometimes a
ball is not opened until the most influential of the stewards and their
parties have arrived, but oftener than not the two first dances are over
before the arrival of the county magnates.

It depends upon the length of the drive at what time people arrive at a
ball; as a rule, they do not arrive later than 10.30 p.m.

The usual mode of conveying a house-party to a ball is by private
omnibus in addition to carriages and motor cars; but when these are
hired for the occasion the expense should be defrayed by the guests
themselves.

It is usual to leave a country ball not later than half-past two; the
most fashionable people invariably do so about that hour.

As a matter of course persons attending public balls take their ball
tickets with them.

* * * * *

=When attending a Military Ball=, or a Hunt Ball, it is usually the rule
to take the invitation card and hand it to the sergeant or official in
attendance.

It is sometimes stated on the invitation card that this is to be done,
although it is often taken for granted that persons will do so of their
own accord.

At balls given by private individuals, the invited guests should not
bring their invitation cards with them, unless in the case of a _bal
masque_, where they are sometimes requested to do so.

In giving a ball three weeks' notice is considered necessary, but with
regard to a dance a short ten days' notice would suffice.

* * * * *

=The Invitation Card= is the usual "at home" card, the word "Dancing"
being printed in the corner of the card.

The word "ball"