18 AUGUST 1917, Page 12

[TO THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") Sis—The following passage

in Pride and Prejudice (chap. liv.) would seem to indicate that in Miss Austen's days it was customary for the gentlemen to follow the ladies into the dining- room and to choose their own places :—" When they repaired to the dining-room, Elizabeth eagerly watched to see whether Bingley would take the place which, in all their former parties, had belonged to him, by her sister. Her prudent mother, occupied by the same ideas, forbore to invite him to sit by herself. On entering the room, he seemed to hesitate; but Jane-happened to look round, and happened to smile; it was decided, He placed himself by ken."—I am, Sir, de., Nes- REWIRE RTLE. The Deanery, Westminster, S.W. 1.