Twentieth century home cook book

CHAPTER XXVII. THE PARLOR AND LIBRARY- K. THE ROOMS FOR COMPANY. II. GUESTS OF THE HOUSE. UI. ETIQUETTE OF THE PARLOR. IV. ENTERTAINING VISITORS AND GUESTS. V. DAILY DUTIES NOT INTERRUPTED BY GUESTS. VI. GOING TO BED. VII. SERVANTS AND PARLOR SERVICE. VIII. DUTY TO CHILDREN. IX. WHAT CONSTITUTES VULGjVRITY. X. PARLOR DECORATION. XL DECORATION NOT NECESSARILY COSTLY. XII. A ROCKING CHAffi. XIII. A PRACTICAL FiVMILY. XIV. INGENIOUS AND USE- FUL. I. The Rooms for Company. lll^HE Parlor. — The apartment where guests are received may be one of the ^''= parlors, the reception-room, or the library, supposing the house to be lar<^c ^f^ enough to contain all these. In England a distinction is made between the parlor and the drawing-room. In city houses, the parlor (^trom parloir, r place to speak in) is on the ground floor, and used as a reception-room and J::i.;e to transact business, while the drawing-room (or withdrawing-room, as it was H-^merly called) is on the tirst floor, up one flight of stairs, and used more ceremor lo-jbly. In the United States we use the two words with the same meaning, as our iouses nave no such division. In large houses there are often two or more parlor.;, and the mis- tress of the establishment has, on the bed-room floor, what is calle^ ner boudoir, a private parlor for the reception of intimate, and, usually, female fi.ends; as the study is, for men who have no ofiice, the private room of the master of the house. The Library. — The library should be solidly furnished, and contain, besides the bookcases, writing table and desk, easy chairs, lounges, sofas, etc. The books may be kept either in movable cases or those built permanently into the '..-alls. In smaller houses the parlor may serve also as a librar-/, and oftcii the " living- room " has to do duty as parlor, library and sitting-room. II. Guests of the House. It is the duty of the host and hostess to receive guests coidioj y and make them feel "at home." The tact of the individual must teach how to do this properly. It comes of the usage that can only be learned by contact with polite people. Kules cannot be laid down. They must be learned by observation, ii, is in perfect accord- ance with good taste among people of small means that the Uiaster, mistress or chil- dren of the household perform all the offices netessary t<; the comfort of guests, including those of the table. If there are scj/ants, weu and good. If not, such service is only that of a friend to friends. III. Etiquette (i the Parioi. Etiquette has been said to be the cod of unwritc'.n laws that governs the man- ners of people living in polite society. 7 li .'oeiuiy i,; " polite," whatever the station 354: TWENTIETH CENTURY HOME COOK BOOK. in life, provided good breeding is observed. Good breeding is the exhi- bition of gentleness, deference, suavitj^ of manner, thoughtfulness, generosity, modesty and self-respect. Ease and cordiality, without freedom of manner, mark the gen- tleman or lady; freedom without ease, the vulgarian. If you receive a letter of intro- duction by a postman, acknowledge it immediately or call upon the stranger. If the person introduced brings it in person, receive the gentleman or lady courteously, and if a continuation of the acquaintance is desirable, give an invitation for another day, upon leave-taking. All must exercise their own discretion as to introductions. In small parties, the guests are, as a rule, introduced to each person separately. In large gatherings not. IV. Entertaining Visitors and Guests.