At places of summer resort, those who own their cottages, call first upon those who rent them, and those who rent, in turn, call upon each other, according to priority of arrival.  In all these cases there are exceptions; as, where there is any great difference in ages, the younger then calling upon the older, if there has been a previous acquaintance or exchange of calls.  If there has been no previous acquaintance or exchange of calls, the older lady pays the first call, unless she takes the initiative by inviting the younger to call upon her, or by sending her an invitation to some entertainment, which she is about to give.  When the occupants of two villas, who have arrived the same season, meet at the house of a common friend, and the older of the two uses her privilege of inviting the other to call, it would be a positive rudeness not to call; and the sooner the call is made, the more civil will it be considered.  It is equally rude, when one lady asks permission of another to bring a friend to call, and then neglects to do it, after permission has been given.  If the acquaintance is not desired, the first call can be the last.

CALLS MADE BY CARDS.

Only calls of pure ceremony—­such as are made previous to an entertainment on those persons who are not to be invited, and to whom you are indebted for any attentions—­are made by handing in cards; nor can a call in person be returned by cards.  Exceptions to this rule comprise P.P.C. calls, cards left or sent by persons in mourning, and those which announce a lady’s day for receiving calls, on her return to town, after an absence.

RECEPTION DAYS.

Some ladies receive only on certain days or evenings, which are once a week, once a fortnight, or once a month as the case may be, and the time is duly announced by cards.  When a lady has made this rule it is considerate, on the part of her friends, to observe it, for it is sometimes regarded as an intrusion to call at any other time.  The reason of her having made this rule may have been to prevent the loss of too much time from her duties, in the receiving of calls from her friends.

CALLS AFTER BETROTHAL.

When a betrothal takes place and it is formally announced to the relatives and friends on both sides, calls of congratulation follow.  The bridegroom that is to be, is introduced by the family of the proposed bride to their connections and most intimate friends, and his family in return introduce her to relatives and acquaintances whom they desire her to know.  The simplest way of bringing this about is by the parents leaving the cards of the betrothed, with their own, upon all families on their visiting list whom they wish to have the betrothed pair visit.

THE CARDS AND CALLS OF STRANGERS.