If a gentleman, pay infinite attention to the single ladies of a family—­compliment, flirt, converse with, and ask them to dance.  This conduct will obtain for you, on account of the fair creatures, marvellous good report, numerous invitations; and if you have sufficient tact to steer clear of committing yourself for more than a few flattering and general attentions, you may be considered one of the happiest of those who live—­by their wits, and upon their friends.

Should your “dancing days be over,” which is scarcely probable, considering how greatly it is now the fashion for “potent, grave, and reverend signors,” and signoras also, to join the gay quadrille, &c. (and here we may as well note, that in genteel society, dowager honourables and old ladies may dance, whilst young, plain misses may not)—­there are sundry modes of rendering yourself agreeable, which your own taste and talents, it is to be presumed, will naturally suggest:  chess, whist, ecarte, quadrille, &c. &c., not to mention a little practical knowledge of music, are acquirements which cause an individual to be considered “very agreeable”—­because very useful; and rely upon it, as the world goes, utility in nine cases out of ten is, with society, a consideration.  Hence, no creature is so universally voted disagreeable as one from whom no kind of service can be exacted; and whilst roues, gamesters, and tipplers, duelists, pugilists, and blacklegs, are tolerated in society, stupid men are overlooked, or thrust out of it with contempt.

Dress in the extreme of fashion:  you can neither gain nor maintain your ground without so doing; and as you have an end to answer, which your tailors or milliners have not, of course you will not suffer the unfashionable dictates of conscience, respecting their bills, to interfere with your proceedings.

Answer an invitation as soon as it is received; many individuals defer so doing for some days, which certainly shows fashionable ease and nonchalance, besides allowing time for the arrival of another and preferable one; but, by those who are absolutely bent upon advancing themselves in society, this practice is to be eschewed, since by perplexing, it so annoys the donor of a fete, that the chances are greatly against your ever again being asked.

Never omit, the day after a party, to send or leave your card, as an acknowledgment for the civility you have received.  This ceremony, indeed, it is to your interest frequently to repeat at the doors of your friends, since it will ensure your never being forgotten by them.

Never go to an evening party until you are pretty certain that everybody else is coming away.  Your consequence will by this conduct be enhanced;—­you may protest that you have already appeared at two or three balls, &c.  When, if a student or fashionable novel-writer, your time may have been more rationally employed at home, you go too late to dance much, if the exercise, or rather the partners, be disagreeable