sts at the drawing-room door, when
they should at once seat themselves. The seats should be arranged in
rows down the centre of the room, and sofas and settees should be placed
around the room.

The programme of a concert is divided into two parts, and at the
conclusion of the first part the guests should repair to the dining-room
for refreshments, which are served as at large "at homes."

* * * * *

=Afternoon Dances.=--Invitations to afternoon dances should be issued on
"at home" cards in the manner already described. "Dancing" should be
printed in the corner of cards, and the hour of "4 to 7" o'clock
substituted for that of "3" o'clock. The words "afternoon dance" should
not be written on an invitation card, and there is no other received
form of invitation for afternoon dances than the one already given.

Afternoon dances are very popular at watering-places, military stations,
small towns in the vicinity of London, etc., but are seldom given in
London itself.

Refreshments should be served during the whole of the afternoon, from 4
to 7, as at large "at homes."

The ladies should remove their jackets or wraps in the cloak-room, but
retain their hats or bonnets; the hostess should receive her guests at
the drawing-room door, as at an afternoon "at home."

* * * * *

=Bridge Teas= occupy an important place in social life. They are a
convenient form of entertainment, as they allow of a small number of
guests being invited, even as few as eight persons being considered a
reasonable number of players to invite, while twenty-four is distinctly
an outside one. The average number is in most instances sixteen,
all told.

The play usually commences at 3.30, sometimes earlier, and continues
until 7.30, allowing an interval for "tea" at 4.30.

The invitations to these informal gatherings are either issued in
friendly notes or on visiting cards. If on the latter, the words "at
home," day, and date are written under the name of the hostess, while
"Bridge, 3.30," or "3 o'clock" is put in the corner of the cards
opposite the address.

The hostess arranges beforehand the places the guests are to occupy at
the different tables; this is done that the good players may play
together. When all have arrived, the hostess tells her guests where to
sit, and is herself one of the players. On taking their seats they cut
for partners. She does not invite guests to look o