The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-01-12
USAGES OF SOCIETY AT WASH
TNGTON

There are certain conventional usages OF
society which some of four readers may like
to know All gentlemen and ladss are Of
course provided with engraved or written
visiting cards, bearing the name and ad
dress In case of removal, fresh cards,
with the new address, should at once be
left.
THE EXECUTIVE MANsIoN.-M TENDERS
of Congress and others call on the Presi
dent of the United States Immediately after
their arrival-he. Of course, is not expect
ed to return visits or to attend private par
ties. Miss Lane (who presides over the
Presidents household) receives on Tues
day and Friday mornings, at the usual
hours, from IL NJ. until 4 =. NJ. Ladies who
are here with members of Congress should
leave their cards at the Executive Mansion.
On New Years day there will be a public
reception, followed by others on Friday
evening which will be duely announced.
SENAToRs.-Senhtors,a as representatives
of sovereign States. claim the honor of a
first visit from heads of departments and
the diplomatic corps The rule, Of course,
extends to the ladies of the families of all
these gentlemen. g-es ra.x 4. '. e-sE.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTs.-The ladies
of the different Cabinet officers have agreed
it is understood, to receive every Tues
day morning from IL NJ until p. NJ.
MEMBERs OF THE HoUsE.-Represcnta
tyes pay the first visit to the heads of De-
partments, the Diplomatic corps, and
Senator'S also the Speaker of tho House.
STRANGERs.-The ordinary rule that
strangers in town are to be called on. is
reversed in w ashington for obvious reasons.
Strangers are expected to make the first
CALL even if they are those privileged per-
sonages-"brides." I'VE speak here of
calls upon Congressional. Executive, Judi
cial. and Diplomatic functionaries aud their
families Private residents Of the District,
of course follow the ordinary usage.D %
Letters of iutroductions, if not presented
personally, should be left, accompanied by
a card bearing the Washington address of
the gentlemen introduced Cards Of acc0m-
panying ladies should also he left, if thero
are ladies in the family of the gentleman to
whom the letter is addressed .sae7 a
RETURN OF yIsITs.-Yisits should al
ways be acknowledged, either personally or
by leaving cards. Gentlemen leave q card
for the gentlemen they visit, and another
for the ladies of the family. if there are any,
Ladies only leave cards for ladies. ...--a
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INVITATIONS
Invitations to dinner or supper should .nl.
ways be promptly Acknowledged by writ
ten acceptance, or written apology for
declining, that the host may know how
many guests to expect. Il has sometimes
happened tha: the expensive dinners have
been prepared for thirty guests, none of
whom had declined. yet not half Of them
would appear. Had the absentees been
civil enough to decline in season, others
might have been invited, or the table might
have been made smaller.
If invitations 10 balls and parties cannot
be accepted q written apology should be
sent. even if on the evening Of the enter
tainment. z3~aer-..
Guests at dinners or others entertain
ments should call ON their host within a
week, as acknowledgement of the hospitali-
Washington States. -s