Regency Culture and Society: The Etiquette of a Carriage Ride

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A Treatise on Politeness, etc (1813) authored by A Lady, tells us about manners when invited to travel in a carriage with a companion.

19th century carriage ride

OF GOING IN A CARRIAGE & c & c If a person to whom you ought to show particular respect take you in their carriage or travel with you endeavour to be accommodating in every thing to be attentive and cheerful and never keep your companion waiting never on these occasions follow the example of those travellers who are out of temper with the roads discontented with the inns angry with the waiters who are never ready never pleased for that is not the way to be invited a second time In getting into a carriage do not go in first
unless you are desired and when in take the worst place and keep your face turned towards the person beside you not to the street or road in coming out it is polite to come out first if convenient in order to give your hand to the person who is with you whether male or female When riding you should let your superior mount first and even assist him in mounting give him the right hand unless by so doing you expose him to dust from your horse in whiclı case you ought to go to the other side Ride slow or fast as he does Should it happen that in travelling you should be obliged to sleep in the room with the person with whom you travel if you wish to be respectful and that there is not such a degree of intimacy as to entitle you to dispense with form you ought to let the person with whom you are undress and go to bed first and on the contrary you should rise first and endeavour to dress without disturbing your companion or letting him

find any inconvenience from your being in the room It iş scarcely necessary to câu tion you against making use of the combs brushes towels & c of the person who sleeps in the same room Persons in the higher ranks should be kind and humane enough to take care on such occasions not to suffer those who accompany them to be put to inconvenience on their account they will lose no respeet by their condescensión but on the contrary increase the feeling of respect with that of gratitude superadded

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