Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-02-17
THE HOUSEHOLD.
"Ciren .. Iuo.pi,nIiu."

recent article iu weekly journal say,
Christine Terhune Herrick in Harper's Ba.
zar. dwelt at some length upon the decline
of hospitality. Various reasons were as
signed for its decAdencc, hut the chief eN-
PLANTATION seemed To- be the expense. So
much is expected nowadays of those who
attempt entertainments Of any kind, that
people Of moderate means naturally shrink
from the cost. II may he said, however
for the comfort OF those whose means do not
permit them to give large entertainments
that small ones arc much muie apt to be
agreeable Some of the most delightful lit
tie dinners are those where the number
present is limited TO four Or six There is
a cozness about small party like this that
can never be attained at table stretching
from one end Of the room TO the other. and
filed on each side with guests \ lunch
party Of six or eight women is generally
! pleasanter than one Of twice that size At
affairs Of these dimensions the menu need
not be so elaborate as would be that requir-
ed at more formal parties. The dinner may
| begin with raw oysters or tiny clans Soup
comes next. Fish may be omitted if desir
ed, and its place taken by a simple entrGe.
such as croqucttes or pdtes, and this be fol
lowed 10y the roast. After that appears the
salad, accompanied by crackers, cheese and
olives then the dessert and the coffee. At
a lunch the order is substantially the same,
| except that the oysters or CLANS mry he
! dispensed with, that buuillon served in cups
| takes the place of soup, and that there is
no roast Instead of it there is some such
dish as chops, small fllets of beef, Dreaded
| outlets, or chicken served in an attractive
| form
Simple teas are a very pleasant aud in
/ expensive mode of entertaining ones friends
when something more general than dinner
! or lunch is desired Tea or coffee and choc
! olate are the beverages aud thin bread and
! butter, rolled or cut into tiny three-corner-
| ed sandwiches should be provided or. il
| these consume too much time in the prepar-
alton, finger rolls will answer the purpose
! Besides these, nothing is essential but nice
assortment OF light cakes, served on the
! prcttiest china plates Two married ladies
may be requested to preside over the tea
pot and coffee urn, and one or more young
girls asked to assist in the waiting. With
these provisions and pleasant selection OF
| guests, the success of the tea should be as
sured
Young married people are apt to become
careless about their social duties, especially
when they have young children about then
to absorb their thoughts and leisure The
habit of staying at home once gained is moi
easily broken, and on this account it should
not be fostered Ones home should be the
happiest spot in the world, but its inmate,
should not refuse to 20 out into the worlt
occasionally, nor neglect inviting theii
friends to their own freside in return
Housekeeping youth have ever homely
wits, and the rust gathers fast on the in
tellect and conversational powers that ar,
not kept bright by friction with others
The practice of asking two or three peopl,
to dinner or tea every week is to be com
mended. The expense and trouble nceC
not be burdensome, aud will pay for them
selves in the pleasure derived by both host
and guests. Use hospitality one to an
! other, without grudgiuE"