The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-27
1nv,,aslons. Aooop,enoes ana Regret.

AnVitatlonBs AcooptRncoS ana Regrets
The engraving OF invitation cards has
become the important function of more
than ono enterprislng firm in every CITY,
80 that 1t seems very unnecessary to say
more than that the most plain aud slmpie
style of engraving the necessary words is
all that IL requisite.
The English ambassador at Rome has
plain, stiff, unglazed card Of large size,
on which ID engraved, "Sir Augustu and
Lady Paget request the honor Of com.
pany on Thursday evening, November 10,
at 10 o'clock. The favor of an answer is
requested"
The name Of the invited guest Is written
IN the blank space left before the word,
company" Many entertainers in Amer
lea keep these blanks or half.engraved in
vitatlons always on hand, and thus save
themselves the trouble Of writing.
Many hostcsses prefer, however, to write
their own dinner invitations, and the for
mula should always be, "Mr. and Mrs.
deDry Brown request the pleasure Of Mi.
and Mrs. Jones' company at dinner Mo-
vember 10, at 7 O'clock"
These invitations should be Immediately
answered, and with pcremptory accept
ance or regret. Never enter into any
discussion or provision with dinner in
vitaton. Never write saying "you will
come If you do not have to leave town."
or that you twill try to come" or that
zone of us cannot come" Simply say,
'Mr. and Mrs. James Jones. accept with
pleasure the polite invitation of Mr.. and
Mrs. Henry Brown for dlnner on Novem-
Der 10 at 7 o'clock" or, If there is any
IF kni,
regret in the same formal fashion.
After having accepted dinner invita-
ton, If illness or any other cause inter-
teres with your going to dinner, send an
immediate note TO your hostess that she
the place open for yourself If there Is O
doubt about your going 1t has often
made or marred the pleasure of dinner
party, this hesilancy on tho part of a
guest to send her hostess IN time her re-
grcts, caused Ly the illness of child, or
the coming of a cold, or some other i'm
pending calamity. Remember always
that dinner Is most formal compliments;
that 1t Is the highest social distinction;
that 1t is of great consequence to the host
ess; that 1t must be therefore met in the
same formal spirit. 1t precludes the nc
cesslty OF a call on her part. Some young
neophytcs in society, having been asked
to dinner, have asked II they should call
atterward, az their hostess had not called
on them. or course they should, the in
vitation 10 dinner is equivalent to many
calls.
1t seems almost unnecessary to say so
self evident q thing, but as we have heard
the question debated, we may as well say,
Answer the person who sends you the in.
vitation. A young lady ouce, Oh receiv-
ing an invitation to wedding from Mrs.
John Jones, asked If she should answer
Mrs. John Jones or the bride. Of course
she had nothing to say to the bride; the
answer was to bc addressed to Mrs. John
Jones.
Always carefully observe the formula
of your invitation, and always answer 1t
exactly. AS to the card of the English
ambassador, gentleman would write,
'MT. AigoTnon Gracle will Go himself tho
honor 10 accept the distinguished invita-
tion Of Sir Augustus and Lady Paget."
In America he would be less formal, say
ing, ''Mr. Algernon Oracle will have much
pleasure IN accepting Nlr. aud Mrs. Henry
Browns polite invitation" We notice
thnt on all foreign cards the "R. 8. Y. p"
is omitted, and ;ho plain English sentence
| Is written OIL or engraved The favor OF
an answer Is requested"
In this country the lnvitations to a din
| ner are always III the name of both host
and hostess, but the invitations TO a ball
and to al "at home," lea, or a garden
party, are invariably only in the name nf
the hostess. TO wedding the names OF
both host and hostess are given; and If a
father who Is n wldOwcr cntertains for his
daughter, his name and hers appear on
the same card for dinners, receipt ons, and
''at homes" his alone for her wedding,
and his and hers together on all other
cards. Many widowed fathers with
daughters issue their invitations without
the names of the young ladies, however.
1t Is never the custom for very young
ladies to invite guests, especially gentle.
men, III their own name. llnotes should
be written III the fathers name. AT 81
derby sister at the head Of The house can
Issue invitations IN her own name.
| The word ''ball' Is never used on a
card. The words "At Home" with "Co-
tillion' or dancing" in one corner, and
the hour and date, are alone necessary.
| II It Is to be small informal dance, that
should also be indicated IN one corner
Officers, members of the hunt, bache.
| Tors, members of club, heads Of commit
tees, etc., always request the pleasure Or
honor of your company. 1t Is not proper
for gentleman to describe himself as Sat
home y He must ''request the pleasure.
| In asking for an invitation to ball for
friends, ladies must be cautious not to in
lrude too far, nor to feel offended if re-
fused. Often hostess has larger list
than she can I'LL, and she ia ~ sple to
ask all whom she would There.
lore very great discreet" ob-
| No, &c tl>oo