The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1885-02-06

go In society MUCH caIllci lhaH Woihcus
but ae restricted from giving any
ertainments until the period has eN-
pired.
The weeds for mems hats vary in
width according to the nearness of the
relative for whose loss it Is worn, ex-
cept in the case of a wife's demise,
when the Grape should cover three
fourths of high hat or three inches OF
fat crown.
Ii is considered in much better taste
to wear simple and less expensive
habiliments than formerly, and many
women of refinement in wearing the
widows cap do away with the long
Grape veil entirely, only using it at the
funeral.
LETTERS OF COINCIDENCE.
Funeral .ards are never sent to city
friends at the death of a near relative;
while it would be considered a solecism
to do SO. their use is sanctioned for dis
tant friends. Then printed cards are
selected, bordered with black. The in
scrlption furnishes the name of de-
ceased, place and date of death, with
time and place of burial. If these cards
are delayed till after the obsequies
brief account of illness and death Is
penned, but such communications only
90 to the dearest family friends.
ards are sent to a house OF mourn
ing, and may or may not contain an
expression of sympathy. but only an in
innate friendship affords one permits
sion to write a letter of coincidence.
Long, torturing letters are happily OBJ
so,eie; brief ones. when the sympathy
they express is genuine, are always ac-
ceptable and help comfort stricken
heart. If YOU must write, write briefly,
as did frivolous society woman once:
Il simply send you q press OF the
hand"
Console IL you must, can bear it.
'Tis only q waste of breath:
Not all the preaching since Adam
Has made death other than death.
Is the language of most hearts in the
hour Of deep grief.
SOCIAL PRIVILEGES.
Secluslon from society need not cut
one of from friendly communication
nor lessen the considerable attention of
friends. 1t is proper to call At the
house of mourning at any time in per-
son and make kind inquiry for the
family. Ii the acquaintance is but
slight, q visiting card is left, with the
lower left-hand corner or all the left
side folded over. It is not, however,
etiquette to see any member of the
fam ~. The calls may be continued.
and when the bereaved feel disposed
they will have the servant announce
you. These cards are merely
visiting cards and often have Ito in
quire'T written on the upper corner.
When persons in mourning desire to
enter society again they would leave
cards. without entering. as an intima-
ton that they are equal to paying and
receiving calls in any case where in
curry has been made. These inquiry
calls are recognized by writing the
words "lhanks for kind inquiry" on .
mourning caro-. Until this intimation
has been given society in general would
not venture to intrude upon the
seclusion of those in mourning.
The question as to how soon persons
in mourning should or should not re-
enter society is in some measure an
open one. As regards very near rela-
tives the regulation per cd of seclusion
is rigidly adhered to, vet in case of
more distant friends this rule is greatly
modified.
Complimentary mourning. which is
coming more and more common, by no
means necessitates seclusion. For in
stance. when person chooses to wear
black for family friend, beloved min
lister. eminent physician, noted states
man, or for m employer, it Is not OBJ
ligatory to forego any reasonable
amount of pleasure, nor is it necessary
to wear full black. The attire may
have about it the charm of novelty or
suit 10 nicely the complexion and
general style Of the wearer. But. be
that as it may, heavy garb of mourn
ing is particularly outof place in . gay
company.
/ A woman may attend q theater, con-
cert, OF lecture in . costume black as
woe and heavy as.grief. three months
conventionalities would debar her from
attending an opera dinner. reception or
wedding. If people choose not to wear
mourning at all they can 60 10 any or
al places of amusement unohaAenged.
for they have asserted the right to be
independent which must be respected
by society. But, once don the habili-
ments of woe, and the dictates of so
clety must be followed.
TIGHTENING THE GRAPE,
In the endeavor to heed these man.
dates one may overdo the matter, as is
very frequently the case among very
diaideut people. Il is very silly be-
lief among those who sorrow deeply
that woman in full mourning may
mot walk, drive or recreate, however
temperstelv, for two years without !
heavy Grape vail over her face, and il
b . common remark among the CEN
serious that she who lightans her
Grape before that timc wears her
SORROW lightly. These critics hold
to The peliof Inst two-years' PEN
ance II sackc1oeh rsilects great csod1t
O widow orphan alike. OF course,
no one ssys ! woman nay not wear her
weeds III her lf1e 4 she - chooses. but
& = 3 question Whetker eke dos NOT
.seklou1Iy dlDtuzh the h4pptnesS and
/ plsoGure q To living u thie o1sequiou1
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