PART I

I. INTRODUCTION TO ETIQUETTE 1

What is Etiquette?--Laws of Society--Control of the Impulses--Regard for the Rights of Others--The Danger of Intolerance--Why it Pays to Be Agreeable--The Simplest Culture.

II. ETIQUETTE'S REWARD 11

The Origin of Manners--The Manners of To-day--Good Society in America--The True Lady and Gentleman--The Secret of Social Success--What Manners Will Do for You--Etiquette's Reward.

III. ENGAGEMENTS 20

Of Special Importance--The Proposal--The Engagement Ring--Announcing the Engagement--The Most Usual Method--Announcing an Engagement in the Newspapers--Engagement Gifts--Bridal Showers--Length of the Engagement--Responsibility for the Wedding--Families and Friends.

IV. WEDDING INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 31

The Wedding Invitation--Size and Material--Kinds of Envelopes-- Addressing the Envelopes--Invitations to Church Wedding--Invitation to Home Wedding--Wedding in a Friend's Home--When Cards are Enclosed --Invitations to Second Marriages--Invitation to Wedding Anniversary --Informal Wedding Invitation--Acknowledging the Formal Wedding Invitations--Whom to Invite--Sending the Invitations--Recalling the Wedding Invitation--Breaking an Engagement--Returning Gifts-- When Death Intervenes.

V. WEDDINGS 49

The Church Wedding--Attendants--The Bridesmaids--Rehearsals-- Regarding the Ushers--The Wedding Day--Arriving at the Church-- Wedding Music--The Wedding Procession--The Ceremony--Leaving the Altar--Rice, etc.--The Wedding Reception--The Wedding Breakfast-- The Wedding Present--Acknowledging Wedding Presents--The Home Wedding --The Second Wedding--Some Important Conventions--Seeking Advice-- Wedding Anniversaries--The Silver Wedding--The Reception--Tin and Wooden Weddings--The Golden Wedding--The Golden Wedding a Glorious Achievement.

VI. THE BRIDE'S OUTFIT 73

Origin of the Trousseau--The Trousseau of To-day--About the Linens --For the Bride--The Wedding Dress--The Bride's Veil--Wedding Flowers--Dress of the Maid of Honor--Marrying in Traveling Dress.

VII. FUNERALS 83

Funeral Customs--The Funeral of To-day--When Death Enters the Family--Taking Charge--Announcing the Death--Some Necessary Preparations--The Ladies of the Family--The Pall-Bearers--Duties of Pall-Bearers--The Church Funeral--Order of Precedence--The House Funeral--A Point of Importance--Removing Signs of Grief --Seclusion During Mourning--Dress at Funerals--Interment and Cremation--Mourning Dress--Mourning Dress for Men--Mourning Stationery.

VIII. CHRISTENINGS 104

Announcing the Birth of the Child--Responding to the Announcement-- Godparents--Invitations to a Christening--A Church Christening--The House Christening--After the Baptism--Gifts.