=SPECIAL CARDS AND WHEN TO USE THEM=

The double card, reading Mr. and Mrs., is sent with a wedding present, or with flowers to a funeral, or with flowers to a debutante, and is also used in paying formal visits.

The card on which a debutante’s name is engraved under that of her mother, is used most frequently when no coming-out entertainment has been given for the daughter.  Her name on her mother’s card announces, wherever it is left, that the daughter is “grown” and “eligible” for invitations.  In the same way a mother may leave her son’s card with her own upon any of her own friends—­especially upon those likely to entertain for young people.  This is the custom if a young man has been away at school and college for so long that he has not a large acquaintance of his own.  It is, however, correct under any circumstances when formally leaving cards to leave those of all sons and daughters who are grown.

=THE P.P.C.  CARD=

This is merely a visiting card, whether of a lady or a gentleman, on which the initials P.P.C. (pour prendre conge—­to take leave) are written in ink in the lower left corner.  This is usually left at the door, or sent by mail to acquaintances, when one is leaving for the season, or for good.  It never takes the place of a farewell visit when one has received especial courtesy, nor is it in any sense a message of thanks for especial kindness.  In either of these instances, a visit should be paid or a note of farewell and thanks written.

=CARDS OF NEW OR TEMPORARY ADDRESS=

In cities where there is no Social Register or other printed society list, one notifies acquaintances of a change of address by mailing a visiting card.

Cards are also sent, with a temporary address written in ink, when one is in a strange city and wishes to notify friends where one is stopping.

It is also quite correct for a lady to mail her card with her temporary address written on it to any gentleman whom she would care to see, and who she is sure would like to see her.

=WHEN CARDS ARE SENT=

When not intending to go to a tea or a wedding reception (the invitation to which did not have R.s.v.p. on it and require an answer), one should mail cards to the hostess so as to arrive on the morning of the entertainment.  To a tea given for a debutante cards are enclosed in one envelope and addressed: 

Mrs. Gilding
Miss Gilding

00 Fifth Avenue
New York

For a wedding reception, cards are sent to Mr. and Mrs. ——­, the mother and father of the bride, and another set of cards sent to Mr. and Mrs. ——­, the bride and bridegroom.

=THE VISIT OF EMPTY FORM=