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The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness
·
Florence Hartley
185
As
a
valid
objection
to
private
theatricals,
it
has
been
urged
that
they
are
apt
to
encourage
a
taste
for
the
green-room
of
the
public
theatre
in
young
men
and
boys;
in
women
the
risk
is
less,
for
few
women
are
ever
known
to
go
on
the
stage
except
from
necessity.
I
own
this
objection
to
theatricals
is
the
greatest
that
can
be
urged.
It
can
only
be
answered
in
mitigation
that,
where
there
exists
a
taste
of
the
kind,
it
is
better
that
it
should
be
indulged
at
home,
instead
of
at
the
theatre,
with
the
modest
inmates
of
a
well-governed
house,
instead
of
with
professional
actors.
Like
all
other
amusements,
the
abuse
is
probable,
but
the
power
of
restraint
rests
within
ourselves.
Under
the
same
head
as
private
theatricals
may
come
dramatized
charades
and
proverbs,
so
much
in
fashion
at
the
present
time.
These
last
have
some
great
advantages
over
the
standard
plays;
they
are
better
suited
to
a
parlor;
they
do
not
provoke
comparison
between
the
young
actors,
and
the
favorite
public
idols;
they
require
but
little
scenery
and
arrangement;
they
are
short;
and
they
do
not
require
so
many
subordinate
characters.
Impromptu
charades
and
proverbs
are
delightful,
and
are
the
occasion
for
much
merriment;
the
mistakes,
the
absurd
contrasts
between
character
and
costume,
the
scenery--a
deep,
hanging
wood,
the
court
of
Louis
Quatorze
or
the
deck
of
a
man
of
war,
being
improvised
at
a
moment's
notice,
only
add
to
the
merry
enjoyment.
One
rule
you
must
observe
if
you
join
in
these
amusements:
never
to
carry
your
gayety
into
romping.
Merry
and
laughing
you
may
be,
yet
never
forget
you
are
a
lady.
You
may
personate
a
newly-caught
Irish
chambermaid,
use
the
broadest
brogue,
wear
the
commonest
dress,
throw
yourself
heartily
and
thoroughly
into
the
part,
losing
your
personal
identity
almost
entirely,
and
yet
you
may
retain
that
nameless
charm,
which
will
place
you
in
the
mind
of
each
of
the
audience
as
a
lady
of
refinement.
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