"Whatever else the like of a society lady may be," Lady Violet Greville wrote for London Magazine, "it is not one of idleness." Indeed not, for one did not come all the way to London in order to sleep until noon and then sit at home. A quick daily schedule:
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10:00
Conduct any personal business, write letters, talk to servants, visit children
11:00
Run errands, shop, ride in Hyde Park.
12:00
Call on intimate friends, shop
1:00-3:00
Luncheon (generally a small affair, with only about twenty guests)
3:00-6:00
Pay calls, receive calls, tea. Or, one might utilize this time to go to a museum, attend a garden-party, or to partake in some sporting events (bicycles were the newest fad). This time was, however, mainly used for paying calls, a social custom which had its own schedule. Early calls, between 3 and 4, were the most formal calls. Calls made between 4 and 5 were much less so, and calls made towards the end of the afternoon were far more friendly and easy-going. (Evans, pg. 45)
7:00
Dinner if going to the theatre
8:00
Dinner-party, or theatre or opera.
10:00
Receptions, soirees
11:00
Balls, dances. Or, if one went to the theatre, supper.
12:00
Supper at balls and dances
3:00
Balls usually end.
(Info from Evans, pg. 52)
