PRINCE'S GLAD EYE.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15347, 10 April 1920, Page 5

PRINCE'S GLAD EYE.

ETIQUETTE OF DANCING

CHOOSING HIS PARTNERS

WATCH THE A.D.O.

The following from the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney "Sun" is aft example of the amusing nonsense which is being evoked by the approaching visit of the Prince of Wales :— Thc_importai fc fact aljotit the Prince is that he is fond of dancing—as a young man who is out to enjoy himself should be. But the Australian girl who looks forward to her hostess leading his 'blushing Royal Highness up to her to ask her for the pleasure of a jaza■will be disappointed. There is a strict etiquette to be observed. The Prince at a- ball dances the first dance with his hostess—or possibly with her daughter. This is the official set of lancers that is regarded, as necessary for the King's representative. And, incidentally, every suburban flapper in Melbourne is assiduously learning the old thing all over again—in the delicious hope that perhaps the Prince will ask .her to'bo his partner. What is much more necessary is for rligh Court Judges and Premiers and" Prime Ministers to learn the ".set to partners."' Official sets in Sydney State balls have shown a deplorable lack of discipline in dancing: the lancers on the part of our leading citizens.

The Prince, having done his duty In the official .set, win be free for the rest of the evening to choose his own p;irners. No matter how much a society girl's mother to get the Prince to dance with her daughter, the matron cannot take the first steps. It all depends ,on the girl and what the Prince thinks of the girl. "What according to the etiquette of regal balls will happen is something like this: Among the array of girls in the ballroom the Prince sees one that he would like for a partner. It is possible, of course, that most of the girls present will contrive somehow to be within the range of the Prince's glad eye. The Prince, having made his choice, will whisper to.his aide-de-camp, who will approach the selected girl. On behalf of the royal guest he will ask her to ho the Prince's partner for that dance. The A.D.C. wil] ask her name, and escort her immediately to the Prince.

She will he presented hx the A.D.C.! •with the words, "Miss Blank, Sir." The Prince will bow and offer his arm to her, but she must "5e sure to make a , curtsey before taking it. I So far the girl has spoken no word, —nor must she till the" Prince speaks| to her. When meeting the Prince at a.'----"ball a girl must be seen, But not heard. But "the royal visitor is not liKely to remain silent long when dancing with an Australian girl. And under the encouragement of his unaffected youth and' the pleasure of the dance iie is sure to set his partner immediately at her ease. There are many other ' points of princely etiquette that the Sydney matron and the "Sydney girl must learn. The Prince had one experience of slink-, ing hands for hours and days at a time' an Canada, and he is not likely to re-1 peat it. The democratic grasp of the princely hand caused such a painful swelling in that hand that it had to be; carried iv a sling for days. Hence, j during his Australian tour all persons; presented to him must either bow or, ■curtsey as they pass before him. If' you ai'e presented to the Prince you must address him as "Sir." If you are ! merely one of the community at large, you must call him "Your Royal Highness." Maybe it is a delicate question whether you can consider yourself a per-; son presented to the Prince or merely i n portion of the community at large. I But no doubt there will he rules of, etiquette for that. Of course, the, Prince may—heing a sensible young man _do away with the stricter portions of recal etiquette when In the land of the Diners And ffiere will certainly be j "many with whom he will exchange a; hearty handshake. . . j If the Prince had "been married InSj wife would have fieen addressed as i "Ma'am " It will be a delicate matter! for suburban Mayors to decide whether j they belong or not to the privileged part of the community.