[Illustration:  Calling cards.]

CORNERS OF CARDS TURNED DOWN.

The signification of turning down the corners of cards are: 

Visite—­The right hand upper corner.
Felicitation—­The left hand upper corner.
Condolence—­The left hand lower corner.
P.P.C. }
To Take Leave } The right hand lower corner. 
Card, right hand end turned down—­Delivered in Person.

CARD FOR MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.

The name of young ladies are sometimes printed or engraved on their mother’s cards; both in script.  It is, of course, allowable, for the daughter to have cards of her own.

Some ladies have adopted the fashion of having the daughter’s name on the same card with their own and their husband’s names.

GLAZED CARDS.

Glazed cards are quite out of fashion, as are cards and note paper with gilt edges.  The fashion in cards, however, change so often, that what is in style one year, may not be the next.

P.P.C.  CARDS.

A card left at a farewell visit, before a long protracted absence, has “P.P.C.” (Pour Prendre Conge) written in one corner.  It is not necessary to deliver such cards in person, for they may be sent by a messenger, or by post if necessary.  P.P.C. cards are not left when the absence from home is only for a few months, nor by persons starting in mid-summer for a foreign country, as residents are then supposed to be out of town.  They are sent to or left with friends by ladies just previous to their contemplated marriage to serve the purpose of a call.

CARDS OF CONGRATULATION.

Cards of congratulation must be left in person, or a congratulatory note, if desired, can be made to serve instead of a call; excepting upon the newly married.  Calls in person are due to them, and to the parents who have invited you to the marriage.  When there has been a reception after the ceremony, which you have been unable to attend, but have sent cards by some member of your family, your cards need not again represent you until they have been returned, with the new residence announced; but a call is due to the parents or relatives who have given the reception.  When no wedding cards are sent you, nor the card of the bridegroom, you cannot call without being considered intrusive.  One month after the birth of a child the call of congratulation is made by acquaintances.

LEAVE CARDS IN MAKING FIRST CALL.

In making the first calls of the season (in the autumn) both ladies and gentlemen should leave a card each, at every house called upon, even if the ladies are receiving.  The reason of this is that where a lady is receiving morning calls, it would be too great a tax upon her memory to oblige her to keep in mind what calls she has to return or which of them have been returned, and in making out lists for inviting informally, it is often the card-stand which is first searched for bachelors’ cards, to meet the emergency.  Young men should be careful to write their street and number on their cards.