‘For the record, the term ‘parlour’ isn’t used, nor is the relatively recent insidious ‘lounge’, except about international airports, hotels and liners.’

‘Boys should be trained at a very early age – six or seven – to say ‘Sir’ to a mature man.’

‘When you can find servants, the plates for the initial course should never be placed on the desk until everyone is seated.’

‘I cannot tension all too often that on every formal event, whether it is Luncheon, a Bazaar or a Meeting, a hat ought to be worn.’

Written almost 50 years ago, Barbara Cartland’s Etiquette Handbook conjures up a period when addressing function colleagues by their first titles was frowned upon, wives could expect to receive a regular allowance of five shillings using their husbands, and hats were ubiquitous. Laced throughout with Barbara Cartland’s wit and knowledge, and Francis Marshall’s illustrations, that is a wonderfully evocative insight in to the manners of the England that has largely disappeared.