Deportment for Dukes & Tips for Toffs: A Compendium of Useful Information for Guests at Mansions of Nobility, Gentry and Clergy

First published in 1900, this is the original comportment guide for the aristocracy. The want of a literature appealing only to those moving in the highest social circles, and practically incomprehensible to such as have not enjoyed the same advantages of birth, fortune, and cellars, has long been regretted by the families of the aristocracy. To supply it the authors have written this treatise. Its ethics are adapted alike to throne-room, boudoir, and butler's pantry. During perusal, his Grace (or his valet) will find it applicable to most, if not all, of the contingencies of a ducal existence. Falling in love, going to sea, and making a fortune are accidents that may befall a Policeman; but staying with a Cabinet Minister, taking a Duchess in to dinner, and seeing a cockaded hat touched in deferential recognition, are sensations enjoyed by the favored few. A visit to a country house is the summit of refined gratification and at the disposal, therefore, of the guest traveling towards a 12-course dinner, the authors have placed this essential guide. Among the areas of advice offered are: the dinner table, hunting, shooting, in the ballroom, the precedence of personages, conversation de societe, and the whole duty of the gentleman. An invaluable guide to manners and mores, and as indispensable to the modern aristocrat as it was over 100 years ago.

At the present time, nothing is known about the pseudonymous author(s).