Ball-Room Etiquette.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 45, 1 July 1890, Page 2

Ball-Room Etiquette.

TO THE BDITOB.

Sir, —It seems that I must apologise to the Havelock dancers for suggesting that they should, in the ball-room, submit to the laws by Avhieh English Society does—or did lately—consent to be governed, and for forgetting that the framers of those laws could not have contemplated as possible the entrance of airy gentleman into a ball-room in a state of intoxication, or the presence of any lady in a place where she knew such an one was likely to be met. If it could be proved that the sole reason for the affronting of the country people was that the complaining parties were under the influence of liquor I would have noth-, ing to say; but this is not the case. I never entered Havelock or any other hall when three sheets in the wind, and two at least of the rural victims with whom I am personally acquainted never take anything stronger than lemonade; neither are they capable of addressing anybody in the manner described by ‘ ,f One of the Offenders,” nor in any other than the prescribed formula, yet they have been persistently refused till one of them said to me, “ It’l be many a day before a Havelock dance gets five shillings out of me again.” I have not the slightest wish to defend the subject of the anecdote related by my fair opponent, but I think I can match the story: “ Once at a dance in the Pelorus a maiden from Havelock answered the usual ‘ are you engaged, etc.,’ with, ‘ What are you giving us, sunshine on a hay-fork or moonshine on a shovel,' ” and in a neighbouring seaport (not Havelock) a person once replied to the same question “ What! do you think I'd dance with a fisherman !” it is disregard of etiquette makes these things possible, but enough of this. In conclusion allow.me to assure “One of the Offenders ” and those she represents, that so far as I am concerned they are welcome to the proverbial “ last word,” for henceforth even if they choose to emulate, the famous

revel held in “ Alio way’s old haunted kirk ’’ under the immediate patronage of His Majesty King Lucifer of Hades, they will hear no more from Bushwhacker. Pelorus, June' 25,1890. "