New York dancing master Hillgrove acknowledges that he has "availed himself of all the books from which he might elicit any valuable information." Indeed, very little of the manual is original. Divided into six parts, Hillgrove's manual discusses the benefits of dance, dress, deportment and etiquette in the ballroom and the supper room. The second part focuses on positions of the feet and bows and courtesies, and provides exercises for the feet and legs. The third and fourth parts discuss the quadrille and provide many figures; the fifth part is devoted to round dances such as the waltz, polka, schottisch, galop, and polka mazurka. The last section focuses on more quadrille figures and other group dances such as the "Virginia Reel," "Money Musk," and "College Hornpipe."

Martine'S Hand-Book of Etiquette, And Guide to True Politeness by Arthur Martine, first published in 1866, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.