Introductions.  If a man is not acquainted with
        the woman assigned to him, the hostess
        should introduce him to the woman.

  Invitations.  These should be acknowledged
       immediately by a letter of acceptance, or declining
       with regret.

The invitations are given in the name of husband and wife, and should be sent out two or four weeks in advance.  R. S. V. P. is not used, and they should be answered immediately.

Invitations to a dinner in honor of a special guest are engraved, and state this fact.  If for good reasons there is not sufficient time to engrave, an ordinary invitation may be used, and a visiting-card enclosed, upon which is written:  To meet Miss Wilson.

       For ceremonious dinners, cards may be engraved,
       with place for guest’s name left blank
       and filled in by hand.

       When frequent dinners are given, invitations
       may be engraved, with blanks to be
       filled with dates, etc.

       Written invitations are also proper to indicate
       an unceremonious dinner.  Note sheets
       can be used.

  Husband and wife.  Both the husband and
       wife should always be invited to a dinner.

When a husband and wife are invited to dinner, and the former does not accept, the wife should decline, giving her reason.  The hostess can then invite the wife only, who may accept.

  Men.  Full dress is necessary for all except informal
       dinners.

The man at the door, after asking the guest’s name, hands him an envelope, with his name upon it, enclosing a card with the name of the woman he is to escort to dinner; or these envelopes may be in the dressing- rooms, if preferred.  It will also be designated at which side of the table (right or left) a man is to sit; or a diagram of the table, with the names of the guests, should be hung in each dressing-room.  The guests pair off as indicated.

As soon as possible a man should seek the woman assigned to him, and inform her that he will be pleased to act as her escort, disguising any personal preference he may have otherwise.

       He should offer his left arm when escorting
       her to dinner.

When the dinner is announced, the host leads the way with the woman he escorts, and the rest follow.  To avoid confusion, a man should remember on which side of the table he is to sit, his place being indicated by a dinner card.

       If unacquainted with the woman a man is
       to escort to dinner, he should seek an introduction
       from the hostess.