Chapter I: Preface

I suppose a book of this character needs some excuse. The world is full of volumes written on etiquette, and, in adding another to the number, my plea for filling the want long felt may seem ridiculous. But I have an excellent reason, and that is, that in all treatises of this character I have found the bachelor sadly neglected.

For many years, while conducting the query or "agony department" in Vogue, I received letters from all parts of the United States asking for information on certain details of etiquette which seem to have been overlooked by the compilers or writers of etiquette manuals. My correspondents always wanted these questions answered from the New York standpoint. All this I have endeavored to do in this volume. I have devoted a chapter to sports. In this I have made no attempt to give the rules of the various pastimes therein enumerated. I have simply jotted down some points which I hope may be of use to the outsider.

In the chapter on dancing I have taken the Patriarchs' Ball in New York as my standard of subscription entertainments of this character. I have also written about cotillons as they are conducted in New York. I have endeavored to be plain and lucid. I only desired that this book should be a help to my reader in any dilemma of social import, and if I shall have proved of assistance, I shall feel that my mission has been accomplished, and that I have reached the goal of my ambition.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE BACHELOR IN PUBLIC 1
II. HOW A BACHELOR SHOULD DRESS 10
III. THE BACHELOR'S TOILET 17
IV. THE CARE OF A BACHELOR'S CLOTHES 24
V. INTRODUCTIONS, INVITATIONS, AND CALLS 41
VI. CARDS 49
VII. THE DINER-OUT 54
VIII. A CODE OF TABLE MANNERS 62
IX. THE CITY BACHELOR AS HOST 74
X. THE COUNTRY HOUSE 85
XI. A BACHELOR'S SERVANTS 94
XII. THE DANCE 102
XIII. THE COTILLON 112
XIV. A BACHELOR'S LETTERS 119
XV. THE BACHELOR'S CLUB 126
XVI. THE SPORTING BACHELOR 136
XVII. A BACHELOR'S TRAVELS AT HOME AND ABROAD 160
XVIII. THE ENGAGED BACHELOR 169
XIX. THE BACHELOR'S WEDDING 172
XX. FUNERALS 193

THE COMPLETE BACHELOR.