Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-04-17
Evenings" in Washington.
Munyun's illustrated World.

Munyun's Illustrated World
There is in Washington a beautiful
custom which brings people together
after the manner of the beautiful his
toric French salon. 1t is not unusual
to receive a card, "Mr. and Mrs.
Alexander at home Saturday even
ings in January" which is a guaran-
tee Of four delightful evenings.
The teas, luncheons, dinners and
receptions may be used to pay social
debts, but the Evenings" are re-
served for genial and congenial peo-
pie. Here, if anywhere, is heard the
good conversers, the mingling Of
mind with mind, the highest exer-
else of the social faculty,
1t is misfortune to have these
companies too large, for then the con-
versation cannot become general.
In perfectly arranged evening"
one fine talker makes some bright
strong remark to a person across the
room, the one addressed responds 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 intent listener.
This last faculty is the delicate adj
ministration of a subtle, tacit flattery
which in a woman avails for beauty,
in man for wisdom.
The requisites forconducting a good
"evening' is first to receive beauti-
fully, to have the judgment to bring
just the right people together, to have
the ability to turn conversation 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 onlytea and crackers
AS soon as the refreshments becomes
"feed" the tone of the gathering is
changed.
Persons accepting these invitations
should do so only on condition thai
they will contribute their own pecu
liar talents. Hostesses plan the even
ing. 1t is work of art. Each ont
should sing, play, recite, or be ready
to converse on every subject present
ed. The person who sits or stands
looking bored will find when the lis
is "revised" his name left out.
The Evenings" are neutral grounc
where men meet who have wranglet
all day over politics, or become an
noyed by business differences, to Sc,
the other side OF life.
To be clever, agreeable and spright
ly is, and should be, the first requisit
of guests. Stupid people whose onl,
entrance fee is style, money or officia
position, are heavy elements tina
cannot appreciate the pure nectar @
conversation, and soon either dro
out or are left out by the successful
hostess.
No conversations in twos or threes
no vulgar slipping aside for boy-an,
girl talk, when the conversation
general, is allowable. One must b
neither too shy nor too bold. A rar
pun, or an anecdOte, pertinent quo
tation are current coin. Either tn
hostess or some other lady presen
should have the faculty of maxim
the graver sort of men produce thei
best thoughts. These are the think
ers-the diamonds are lost if they al
not brought out. The hostess mus
also have the ability to regulate 9Th
smart young man." who is anxiou
to ventilate his sophomore know
edge; to insist on plain toilets fror
the ladies, or desired element wi
E be rendered uncomfortable.