Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-27
AT Home" Days.

The fashion OF AT Home" days is
gaining favor rapidly with those who
once condemned it as formal and SUBJ
versve of genuine friendliness. The
woman who cngrayes the name OF a
certain day. afternoon or evening, on
her visiting cards rs the time when she
is ready and glad to receive calls, says,
in effect, that sho appreciates the desire
of her acquaintance TO see her; sets too
high value on their time and hers to
risk the loss of visit. She further
more, marks her recognition Of the duty
of hospitality by resigning stated por-
ton of the week to the performance of
the grateful task. Her visitors are never
doubtful as to the chances of inconven-
fencing her or of finding her within
doors. She belongs, by choice, on that
day to all who will come, and, being
prepared to receive them, will be disap-
pointed if they stay away. Any one,
except u very intimate friend, is guilty.
however unwittingly, of impertincncc
in presenting himself at any other sea-
son unless by especial permission. Peo-
pie who have never taken the pains 10
think twice of this view of the subject
have way of saying, "Let me call
sometime when | can see more of you-
have you all to myself; hate reception
days" One must be very sure OF his
own attractions who thus proposes. I'M
invited. to absorb the entire attention,
for even an hour, of an always busy
and useful mistress of family. If she,
with fullest knowledge of her occupa-
tons and desires, chooses to appoint
the season for receiving the outer
world her wishes will be respected by
well-bred acquaintance. 1t argues
presumption and fatuous self-conceit
for one to assume that he car never be
unwelcome.
The opposite extreme of treating a
guest with too little ceremony, is to
burden him with attention. Some
kindly folk would seem to imagine that
their friends part with individuality as
soon us the shadow of the hospitable
roof envelops them. The determine
ton to amusc. to feed to till them, body
and mind. with entertainment during
every hour of their sojourn is obvious
Mt every turn. 10 insist that he whom
YOU delight to honor shall cat twice as
much as he wants, and does not know
what lie prefers to take on his plate
should sec things he cares nothing for;
drive when he would rather walk; sail,
when he abhors aquatic sports from the
depths of an agonized stomach; that he
shall be diverted when he longs to be
alone with his own thoughts for one
precious half-hour of the twenty-four
that make up his waking days bene.
violent torture.
Study your friends likes and procliv.
tiles, addressing your ingenuity to the
attempt 10 make him happy in his way,
instead of forcing him TO feign salts
faction with yours. 1t is quite as posi-
bic to bore him by giving him surfei'
of your society as by allowing him tc
seek amusement in reading. Ii he
comes to you tired. let him rest. Should
he be loquacious, listen while he has his
say. So far from considering you stu
pid because you sit by. attentive ant
mute while he turns his heart and brair
inside out, he will DO likely to com
mend you as tho prince of converse
tionalsts The definition of Bore
"One who talks so much Of himself tina
he gives YOU no chance to talk of your
SELF" is one of the best things tina
has been said in this century. Sci
to it that YOU are the bored, rather thai
,bn hnrn when the relations ire those O