We’re BIG fans of etiquette – in all its glorious forms and contexts – at the BNA.

Indeed, we often think that folk who are keen to maintain high standards of decorum and refined behaviour are ‘keepers of the flame’ for, er, well, the survival of civilisation, really.

Anyway, we’ve now published a fair few etiquette guides on the blog and, as they always prove to be popular with visitors to the website, we thought we’d post another article on the subject.

So as we’re heading towards the sanctuary of the weekend and many people will be dressing up to the 9s, checking their dance cards and going out dancing tonight and tomorrow, we thought we’d post this ‘Ball Room Etiquette’ guide from 1864.

Oh, we don’t think that any BNA visitors will need this guide, but we’re thinking that BNA fans could perhaps be etiquette missionaries in the discotheques and dance halls of the world.

So, if you’ve ever needed advice about how to order your dance cards and/or how to tread softly with the poor wallflowers of the world, then this is the etiquette guide for you.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Friday 15 April 1864

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000267/18640415/009/0003