title: Sorry!: The English and Their Manners
author:  Henry Hitchings 
description: Although most people have some idea of what good (or bad) manners are, its less likely they know where they come from. Hitchings addresses that through a comprehensive historical review, with some fun tidbits along the way. He brings the perspectives of the past to bear on customs of the present, using examples from writers such as Samuel Pepys, Lord Chesterfield, and Fanny Trollope. This rambling examination is concerned only with English manners, not those of other British countries. Hitchings is affectionate toward typically English mannerisms such as tactfully saying one thing, when meaning anotherwhen told, We really must have lunch sometime, does anyone believe itll actually happen? The book contains some illuminating examples of how manners are a social construct and can vary widely across cultures. The tour of manners encompasses living conditions, language, social structures, innovations, and philosophy throughout centuries. This is not a book of etiquette instruction, but deconstruction. For those who wish to dig deeper into the myriad forces at work behind polite customs, large and small, the book is sure to please. --Bridget Thoreson
zlib_text: _To my husband for his love and support,_
  
  _and to Gwendolyn Gage for her advice and encouragement._
  
    
  
  Chapter One
  
  _Late October, 1790—London, England_
  
  The sound of a carriage stopping outside brought Cyrus Dorn, the Duke of
  Alston, from his thoughts. It was a rare sound as social calls did not take
  place at his townhome. No one dared to call on him and he wished to see no one
  in return.
  
  Well, whoever it was, his butler would take care of it and send them on their
  way. Cyrus returned his attention to his accounts he’d been reviewing all
  morning and after a moment, he heard the carriage drive off. _Good man,
  Charles._ Cyrus could always count on him.
  
  Not a minute later, there came a knock at the door.
  
  “Yes?” Cyrus looked up from his desk.
  
  The door opened and Charles walked in looking wide-eyed as he cleared his
  throat, “Your Grace, you have a visitor.”
  
  “A _what?_ I heard them drive away. I had assumed you took care of it.”
  
  A familiar female voice came from behind the butler, 