The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-02

The ideas of the sold established and .promi-
neut merchant in relati, w to the custom of
calling upon ones lady friends on New Years
day, deserves consideration. The "old estab-
lished,' ETC., is evidently moved by a deep
senseof.the duty he owes to society, and if there
were more like him, no doubt our society
would Icosely resemble (the proper allow.
ances being made) the society Of the cesmopol-
itan cities of New York and Washington; "a
contamination devoutly to be wished." A
But it would be severe upon those gentlemen
who were inevitably prevented from perform
ing their duties on that day to send excuses as
suggested by the established prominent" ETC.,
to the hundred or more of their female ac-
quaintances, and particularly upon those, who
though high in fashionable circles, are troubled
with slight impecuniosiIy. The sold, promi-
nent" and OF course rich) etc., in case of in-
disposition, could dictate the form OF an ex-
cuse to his clerk, and have as many copies
made as be had names on his visiting list; but
to many Of the younger gentlemen the bill for
stationery and tbs expense of delivering the
excuses at several hundred houses, would be,
to say the least, inconvenient.
Let me then suggest to the prominent" .mer-
chant that the press accommodate both parties,
Let the names OF the ladies who are to Keep
open house on the First, 'sppear in the issue
OF that day aud in the next issue let US have
the excuses OF the gentlemen who are ur able
to devote the day to social intercourse. And
let some reprohates, recreant to their "duties
to society" feien sickness, and send iu excuses
to that effect, let us have the certificate of
physician in good standing attached to all
such. In case of an arrest suppose an at
tested copy OF the return of the officer would
be considered snfhcient evidence. give f.w
forns for the convenience of those Young men
who not ready with the pen
Form No. J. Mr.. Tom Brown presents his
condiments TO his friend, and regrets that the
neglect OF Mccarthy to send home his new
pleasure Of making the customary calls on
New Years day.
This might be accompanied by McCarthy's
cerr6 il be wonld give it.
No. 2 Mr.. Joseph Smith presents, etc, and
is sorry that the inclemency OF the weather on
the first inst, compelled him to follow the ad.
vice OF his physician and remain at home.
The Doctors certificate might follow, but if
Mr. Smith was understood to be in delicate
health it would not be necessary.
No. 3. Mr.. john Robinson presents his
compliments TO those OF his lady friends that
he was unable TO visit on the fist inst, and
would say that peculiar dizziness which be-
gan to grow upon him soon after beginning
his Calls, cvercame him at noun at the resi-
dence OF Gen'l. -, and he was obliged to
forego the pleasure OF completing his list
VI IuVlSt no Ouo 10 Offer
the ab we. Ali kinds OF reasons for the dizzi.
ness would be suggestive, and an innocent
man might be the victim of uncharitable
tongues. A little deception should be permit
TED in such a case, and the sudden illness of
ones grandmother or other near relative could
be offered instead of TIE facts.
The above forms indicate the style without
taking up your valuable space by more of
them.
But it has occurred to ME, as it probably has
to the established" merchant that the rule
be lays down shonld work in both directions,
or IN other words, to use a homeiy proyerb.
what is sauce for the gander is sauce for the
goose" aud that if the gentlemen who do not
call on New Years day should give excuses.
so should the lad les who do not receive callers
on that day.
1t would certainly be unjust to the gentle
men who devote large part of the morning in
making an unexceptionable toilet, to oblige
them to waste great part of the day in run.
ming up long flights Of stems to drop bits of
paste board into wicker baskets. The game is
certainly not worth the caudle. have tried it
and know. Shall the same penalty be inflicted
upon these delinquent ladies that the estab.
hshed merchant advises in the other case?
This would never do for very soon there
would be no one to speak to. That is to say,
in society,"" Or shall another column in the
PRESS be devoted to the excuses of the ladies i?
confess that the matter is growing too com
plicated for me, and leave it here hoping that
it will receive the attention it merits from
those who have proper appreciation of the
duties they owe to society. II. SWELL.