In all social intercourse cultivate a frank, friendly spirit ; refer social
usages to their origin and intention and neglect, such as have little
purpose or meaning. To fully accomplish the etiquette of exchanging
visiting cards, in a large city, would require, besides much pasteboard,
a constant attention to the smallest detail. Fashions in this matter
differ in different countries and in different cities of this country, but
good sense and good feeling are universal.
VISITING CARDS.
Visiting cards are best plain and engraved, without flourishes.
"Script" is now the favorite text. There is an elaborate system of
turning down different corners to signify a " visit," an " adieu," " con-
dolence," or a visit for the ladies of the family, but when human inter-
course has become a system of pasteboard signals it is about as well
that it should cease to exist. The fashion of leaving a card for each
lady in the family, together with the husband's card, is running to an
extreme, which in Washington may be necessary, but which it is not
important to import into other places.
On coming to the city it is well to enclose a card to friends who may
like to call, otherwise they may not know of your visit, as common
friends frequently do not meet for weeks and may not remember to
speak of your prospective or actual visit.
VISITING CARDS. 655
On going to a lady's house and finding her at home, give the maid
your card, so that the mistress may know whom she is to find in the
parlor.
In all well-ordered houses the maid knows, when she comes to the
door, whether her mistress is to be excused or not. To send a card
and then be denied admission is a thing hard to excuse. If not at
home, you may turn the card to signify that you called and did not
simply send a card. ,
Visiting cards are much used for informal invitations, and you some-
times receive one with a considerable note upon it. The ordinary form
for afternoon tea parties is to put under the engraved name, " At home
from three to six." Many are sent by mail, and this seems a very sen-
sible improvement upon the old special messenger plan. In many
cases the messenger gets weary and disposes of a few of the invitations.
In one case he was co/d, and turning into a convenient grocery to warm,
he added to the blaze in the stove a contribution of about thirty invita-
tions. Several intimate friends were "slighted."
Put your invitations in the postofrice and you are reasonably sure of
their delivery.
Regrets are frequently sent in the same way. For receptions and
afternoon teas a card without anything but the name is considered
enough.
The tendency of society is towards simplicity, and leave-taking is no
exception to the rule.
A lady or gentleman after a call or " visit " will rise without any pre-
amble and bow him or herself out. After a dinner party or other set
occasion the guest rises, shakes hands with his entertainers, bows to
the other guests, and is gone. A great point is achieved when he can
take leave easily and gracefully. Many people believe in " French
leave " at receptions and parties, as the company is not reminded of
the necessity of departure by constant adieux, but the custom is not
general. The consequence is that the hostess at a large reception
varies the monotony of "Good evening," by saying " Good bye."
FANCY WORK, KNITTING, CROCHET AND
NEEDLE-WORK.
FANCY BAGS.
Page 536
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In all social intercourse cultivate a frank, friendly spirit ; refer social usages to their origin and intention and neglect, such as have little purpose or meaning. To fully accomplish the etiquette of exchanging visiting cards, in a large city, would require, besides much pasteboard, a constant attention to the smallest detail. Fashions in this matter differ in different countries and in different cities of this country, but good sense and good feeling are universal.
VISITING CARDS.
Visiting cards are best plain and engraved, without flourishes. "Script" is now the favorite text. There is an elaborate system of turning down different corners to signify a " visit," an " adieu," " condolence," or a visit for the ladies of the family, but when human intercourse has become a system of pasteboard signals it is about as well that it should cease to exist. The fashion of leaving a card for each lady in the family, together with the husband's card, is running to an extreme, which in Washington may be necessary, but which it is not important to import into other places.
On coming to the city it is well to enclose a card to friends who may like to call, otherwise they may not know of your visit, as common friends frequently do not meet for weeks and may not remember to speak of your prospective or actual visit.
VISITING CARDS. 655
On going to a lady's house and finding her at home, give the maid your card, so that the mistress may know whom she is to find in the parlor.
In all well-ordered houses the maid knows, when she comes to the door, whether her mistress is to be excused or not. To send a card and then be denied admission is a thing hard to excuse. If not at home, you may turn the card to signify that you called and did not simply send a card. ,
Visiting cards are much used for informal invitations, and you sometimes receive one with a considerable note upon it. The ordinary form for afternoon tea parties is to put under the engraved name, " At home from three to six." Many are sent by mail, and this seems a very sensible improvement upon the old special messenger plan. In many cases the messenger gets weary and disposes of a few of the invitations. In one case he was cold, and turning into a convenient grocery to warm, he added to the blaze in the stove a contribution of about thirty invitations. Several intimate friends were "slighted."
Put your invitations in the postofrice and you are reasonably sure of their delivery.
Regrets are frequently sent in the same way. For receptions and afternoon teas a card without anything but the name is considered enough.
The tendency of society is towards simplicity, and leave-taking is no exception to the rule.
A lady or gentleman after a call or " visit " will rise without any preamble and bow him or herself out. After a dinner party or other set occasion the guest rises, shakes hands with his entertainers, bows to the other guests, and is gone. A great point is achieved when he can take leave easily and gracefully. Many people believe in " French leave " at receptions and parties, as the company is not reminded of the necessity of departure by constant adieux, but the custom is not general. The consequence is that the hostess at a large reception varies the monotony of "Good evening," by saying " Good bye."
FANCY WORK, KNITTING, CROCHET AND NEEDLE-WORK.
FANCY BAGS.