There is a mistaken idea that coming late and leaving early is peculiar to the modern era, and this day of haste. Far back in 1882 we know that people left concerts early from this notice in a programme of that year: “NOTICE “The patrons of the Germania Orchestra Concerts are respectfully requested to be in their seats, on the evenings of the concerts, by eight o’clock punctually. “Those persons who are unable to comply with this request, will kindly wait in the lobby until the close of the First Movement of the Symphony, when a pause will be made to enable them to reach their seats.” Coming late is the habit of the American world at least, even when taking trains. Being locked out does not remedy this habit, it only evokes a few growls. Again the management took up the subject through the programme: “NOTES OF INTEREST “The hat question is not the only question that arises from time to time to prevent that serene enjoyment of concerts, which is the ideal estate of things hoped for by Management and concert-goers. Perhaps in the Elysian fields, choirs armed with angelic harps, are listened to without distractions furnished by late-comers and early-goers, or by people whose views on the numbers interpreted are as obstreperous as their hats, or the numberless physical annoyances that make for confusion and noise, that seem to be inevitable in concert auditoriums the country over. And this is apropos of the fact that a subscriber has written in to say that ‘The general confusion during the last number of the concerts on Friday afternoons is most annoying,’ and she continues, ‘I am wondering whether a request cannot be put in the programme to stop this nuisance, as has been done with regard to the wearing of hats. This is what one meets with; almost as soon as the last number begins, hats and coats are put on, veils are arranged, and during the playing of the finale people keep leaving, causing a general feeling of unquiet and unrestfulness. This seems to me very discourteous, and is most annoying to those who really want to enjoy the concert from start to finish. I know that sometimes it is necessary for a subscriber to leave early, but may I suggest that the persons who have to leave before the last number, vacate their seats before the Orchestra starts to play.’ “All this seems reasonable enough, but it is a matter entirely in the hands of the concert-goers, who form their own ‘court of honor’ in these particulars.”