The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-12-19
Parties to the Theatre.

During the winter months very frequent
method OF entertainment the making party to go
20 sas psy Sometimes these parties are very large
exceed eight The number OF ladies' should never ex-
coed that OF gentlemen. 1t is usual for the lady max
nG up the party to agree TO take all the tickets and
tue members Of the party mast by means forget TO
pay her Tor them--as is regret to say, sometimes
the case. The payment should never under any cir,
cunstances be delayed longer than the next day and
the amount In sealed envelope, should be sent to
ieit at her house There can be no dculty In ascer-
discovered by looking at the prices OF the stalls which
are printed on the play bills advertised In the news
so Sa s9e Sss to es sa
possible taste and breeding.
II is not essential that the whole party should sit In
one row, but the members Of 1t should al be together
Thus, In party Of eight four should be In one row
and four In the row behind One Of the gentlemen of
the party should be at end OF the row. as II is
always pleasanter for the ladies' not to sit next To
strangers. II is better that arrangement should
10 made beforehand as to how the party Is TO be placed
and then confusion on arrival is avoided.
Ladies at a theatre leave their seats; gentle
men move abont II they choose between the acts,
for ladies to do either. Neither is it usual or coms
other refreshment.
The dress OF ladies for the theatre Is very quiet,
such as would be worn for very small dinner
party; and display OF much handsome Jewery Is ~
bad taste. Flowers are rarely worn In the hair,
though pretty small caps are very general. Hand
some opera cloaks worn, and may either be throw
OIL In the stalls or worn during the evening. Many
Ing their cloaks on. fur cape is usually added I,
wear when coming outs this, OF course Is taken of
In the theatre and generally held In the lap. Operi
hoods and such articles not by ladies', moth
Ing whatsoever being thrown the head, though
occasionally a cloud Is worn across the mouth.
For gentlemen evening dress Is de ri0ueur, ant
| they, OF course, have opera hats and oyercoats
which latter they generally dispose over the backs o
| their seats
More frequently than not, party to the play 4
preceded by small dinner and then II Is ncnmben
upon the guests to arrive pnnetaay at the hour names
must observe carefully at what hour the nay begin
which the party wishes to see The carriages Shout,
be ready few minutes before the time named for tn
start so that there may be delay The hostess mus
arrange how the party are to go out; she Is ex
pected to find carriages for those who have not any
Some lady frequently takes another who has not
carriage and the gentlemen 20 in Hansoms II there
not room for them In the carriages. They shoul
arrive first, SO as to receive the ladies'. In conn
out each gentleman offers his arm to tile ladies' mex
to whom he has been sitting. The ladies' are place
In spot as sheltered as may DO from draughts an
the gentlemen go to the door to seek the respectiv
footmen, who 20 for the carriages. The party seps
rates as each carriage drives up.
Sometimes, instead Of a dinner before tho play, tn
party meets ut the theatre, and afterwards there is
supper at the house OF one OF the number These sup
psis often very pleasant gatherings, ashere 10
Of being late which can never bequite banise
during dinpeI. Besides other friends met at II
theatre often be invited. and thus greater varlet
made IN the party. For such snppers the yiands al
almost Invariably cold; II IL always advisable to ha,
hot clear soup, many people, ladies more especial,
| md nothing so reyivlng after fatigue consequent
hot air and excitement. london Queen.