dances. The early hour at which these dances take place recommends them
to some and altogether renders them impossible to others, notably to
those who dine late, and who are not inclined to dance at nine o'clock
or even at ten o'clock, and who rather resent the frugal style of
refreshments offered, and consider that a champagne supper is an
indispensable adjunct to a dance.

It should be remembered that Subscription dances were first originated
for the amusement of very young people, and it was never expected that
they would compete with the fashionable small dances of the day; their
popularity was a surprise, and if ball-goers are disposed to hold them
in contempt there are others less fashionable and less wealthy who find
them very much to their taste.

The great difficulty, however, that ladies have to contend with is the
fact that very few men can be induced to attend them, and that those who
do accept invitations or purchase tickets are very young men, who have
their way to make in the world, and are as yet on the lower rungs of
the ladder, and as young ladies are very much in the majority at these
Subscription dances, to dance with partners younger than themselves is
an almost inevitable result for those who are no longer in their teens.

CHAPTER XLVI

GIVING PRESENTS

As regards presents in general it should be understood that a present
demands a note of thanks in all cases when the thanks cannot be verbally
expressed. The notes to slight acquaintances should be written in the
third person. To friends, in the first person. This applies equally to
presents of game, poultry, fruit, or flowers. Some few people entertain
the erroneous idea that presents of this nature do not require thanks.
This is not only ungracious but raises a doubt in the mind of the giver
as to whether the present sent has been duly received.

* * * * *

=Wedding Presents.=--When an engagement has been duly announced to
relatives and friends, and it is understood that it is to be a short
one, wedding presents may be sent until the day before the wedding-day,
and the earlier they are sent the more convenient it is for the bride,
as she is expected to write a note of thanks to each giver. In each case
a letter should be sent with the present expressing the congratulations
and best wishes of the donor, and, if possible, a card with the name of
the giver should be attached to it for identification when