Deportment for Dukes and Tips for Toffs

It was the indispensable guide to manners and mores - and today it makes for a rather intriguing reading. Here are our top tips from Deportment for Dukes and Tips for Toffs (£7.99, published by The British Library.)

‘Invitations written on pink paper, all gross misspellings of the invitee’s Christian name, and any marked deviations from the customary methods of address, &c., may be answered in the negative by postcard’. 

‘In answering the invitation you have decided to accept, a certain familiarity is permitted if your host be below the rank of life peer; beneath the rank of parish councillor it is even required’ 

‘A telegram costs sixpence; there are many acquaintances worth less than that’ 

‘On a journey, avoid the vulgar and objectionable habit of conversing with your fellow travellers. Be on your guard when asked a civil question; if you cannot answer rudely, do not reply at all’ 

‘A gentleman in a blue coat and brass buttons will present himself for the first time before the door of your compartment towards the end of your journey, and reiterate a hope that you have travelled in comfort. This is the Guard.’ 

‘It is usually superfluous to shake hands with the footman. You will recognise him by the fact of his opening the door’ 

‘On your nearer approach the sagacious quadruped will probably turn one of his two ends towards you. That which opens is termed the head; that which wags, the tail’

‘On sighting the objet de chasse, draw the trigger smartly towards you. On again opening your eyes you will thus find that your skill and ardour have sometimes been rewarded by the decease of the desired animal’

‘However warm the evening may be, it is unusual to remove your waistcoat or shirt front’ 

‘The Tennis is an active exercise, requiring a pair of white flannel trousers’