When personal calls are not practicable, nor desirable, the leaving of cards is accepted as an equivalent.
A few years ago, fashion demanded that all visiting-cards expressing or acknowledging social civilities should be left in person; the alternative in emergencies being to send them by the hand of a private messenger, never through the post-office. There was good excuse for this fashion in our grandmother's day, when the post was a slow coach, or a storm-stayed postillion; but the admirable system of our postal service to-day leaves no excuse for the prejudice in favor of the private messenger; and it is not surprising that fashion has yielded to common sense in allowing that many of these cards of courtesy may, with perfect propriety, be sent by post.
The following instances illustrate the present correct usage in regard to these three ways of leaving cards.
CASES IN WHICH PERSONAL CARD-LEAVING IS REQUIRED
After a first hospitality, whether accepted or not.
Calls of condolence.
After-dinner calls by cards.
Alternative.—In such cases, when personal card-leaving is impossible, the card is sent by a private messenger, and an explanation, or apology, is sent by note.
Cards of condolence may be sent by post by friends at a distance; but not by persons residing in the near vicinity.