Good Form. By Mrs. Armstrong. (F. V. White.)—It makes one
shudder to think that in these comparatively unconventional days it ihould still be necessary to write books of etiquette, to discourse on "Receiving Callers," "Dinner," "Private Views," and the like. It is due to Mrs. Armstrong, however, to admit that she says what she finds it necessary to say sensibly, pithily, vivaciously, and not as a lady's-maid. How many suggestive but too little regarded truths are to be found in these pages ! Take, for example, "A marked change has come over the spirit of modern parties, and the voice of the amateur is no longer heard in the land ;" or, "A young lady does not remove her gloves when taking refresh- ments; her cavalier waits on her and holds her fan whilst she is eating her ice ; he then escorts her back to the ballroom, and leaves her with a bow by the side of her chaperone ;" or, "A widow and her daughters could join a party of ladies staying in a bachelor's yacht, but it would be decidedly bad form were they to be the only guests or the only ladies amongst a party of gentlemen." It would be unkind to steal too many of Mrs. Armstrong's plume.
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