The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-05-06
Evenings in Washington.


There is in Washington a beauti-
full custom which brings people to-
gether after the manner of the beau
tlfuI historic French salon. 1t is
not unusual to receive q card, "Mr.
and Mrs, Alexander at home Satur-
day evenings in January which is
guarantee of four delightful even
ings.
The teas, luncheons, dinners and
receptions may be used to pay So
cial debts but the Evenings" are
reserved for genial and congenial
people. Here, if anywhere, is
heard the good conversers, the
highest exercise of the social fac
uIty.
1t is a misfortune to have these
companies too large, for then the
conversation cannot become gen
eral.
In q perfectly arranged evening"
one fine talker makes some bright
strong remark to a person across
the room, the one addressed re-
spends in kind, thus the ball is
opened, each person being ON the
qui vive to add his word. No one
has a right to sit dumb or to look
uninterested.
To be valuable to a hostest one
must be bright, have tact, wit and
sprightliness, or be an intense lis
tener. This last faculty is the deli
90 Of
tacit, flattery which in a woman
avails for beauty, in q man for wis
dom.
The requisites for conducting a
good "evening" is first to receive
beautifully, to have the judgment to
bring just the right people tsget b.
er, to have the ability to turn con-
versatiou when it goes wrong or to
encourage when it goes right.
Care should be taken to have the
refreshments SIMPLE but dainty.
Plain living, high thinking. French
salons often had only tea and crack
ers. AS soon as the refresh ments
become a "feed" the tone of the
gathering is changed.
Persons accepting these invita-
tions should do SO only on condi-
ton that they will contribute their
own peculiar Ia ents. Hostesses
plan the evening. 1t is 4 work al
art. Each one should sing, play,
recite or be ready TO converse on
every subject presented. The per
son who sits or stands looking Dor
ed will find when the list is ''revis
ed' his name left out.
The Evenings" are neutral
ground where men meet who have
wrangled all day over politics, OF
become annoyed by business differ
ences, to see the other side of life.
To be clever, agreeable and
sprightly is, and should be, the first
requisite of guests. Stupid people
whose only entrance fee is style,
money or official position, are heavy
elements that cannot appreciate the
pure nectar of conversation and
soon either drop out or are left Out
by the successful hostess.
No conversations in twos OIL
threes, no vulgar slipping aside fol
a boy-and-girl talk, when the con.
versation is general, is allowable
One must be neither too shy mol
too bold. A rare pun, or an anec
dote, a pertinent quotation are cur.
rent coin. Either the hostess OIL
some other lady present should
have the faculty of making the gra-
yer sort of men produce their bes
thoughts. These are the thinkers
the diamonds are lost if they are
not brought out. The hostes:
must also have the ability to regu
late ''the smart young man" who il
anxious to Ventilate his sophomore
knowledge; to insist on plain toilets
from the ladies or a desired ele
ment will be rendered uncomforta
bile