Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-14
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For small and unceren0niOus dinners, ten days
notice should De sufficient, or even less and writ
ten notes in the first person can take the place OF
the more formal engraved cards. These invita-
ttonS are written according TO the degree OF inti
macy existing between the host and guests In
yit3ti0nS 70 large and ccremOntOu5 dinner parties
during the London season are often sent out nve
his dinners out promised generally six weeks In
advance. In London. Important dinner giverS
take one day. as Thursday or Tuesday, and MOTH
Ing breaks this engagement up bur a command
from the queen, who often pIJctpltateS large
dinner party tnto nothincnes by sending for the
host and hostess in the morning Of the day when
she commands their presence. Either acceptances
or refasals 10 dinner Invitations should be sent
tiOns have been received. 10 would show a want
OF courtesy and COod breeiing. on the part OF the
person invited did he fail % answer promptly. a.
the hostess Otherwise would Re left In doubt, and
she would consequently be made unable TO MI up
the vacant place TO her satisfaction
ANSWER TO INVITATION
cannot be solicited In a subsequent note; IL Is
Therefore incumbent on the invited guest 70 dis
patch an answer within a day or two at least
Dinner Invitations can either he left in person OF
By a servant, or be sent through the post, and In
whatever way the invitation Is sent the answer
should be returned IN the same manner. The
duty OF sending out Invitations deyOives on the
hostess. IL Il not usual To invite more than two
members OF the same family 10 the same dinner
Husbands and wives must always be asked to-
getheT. Punctuality Il the most desirable Of viz
tues always but at dinner 1t Is Imperative. In
ytatiOns 10 dinners are the only ones which in En-
gland issued ia the joint name OF the host and
hostess; all other invitations are In the name OF
the hostess only. In this country wedding Invita-
tons are issued in the joint names OF host and
hostess. Invitations To '.At Homes" are always in
grayed carl. the name Of the Invited guest Is
written at the top OF the card rs well on the
envelope. Invitations to O'Clock ten would be on
the ordinary visiting card and the formula Is Tea
NJ 81 The term honorable Is only put on the
envelope. Invitations TO large ceremonious "At
Homes should be sent out a fortnight previous 10
the OCCASION but for small uncereInOnOuS A
Few days or week is sufficient time. When
afternoon concerts are given, Invitations can be
OF the person invited IS written above the or
the hostess In the right-nand corner, thus:
Mrs Dater
At Home
Thursday, January Is.
Music AZ O'clock
II dancing is intended that can be substituted
for music. Ladies who entertain a great deal md
these cards an immense saving Of labor.
GARDEN PARTIES.
Invitations TO garden parties are also issued on
Eat home" cards. The words garden party being
substituted for dancing or music. The time for
garden parties should always De from about to =
sometimes In England dflner and a dance are
added 10 the garden party. Then the invitation
reads:
Mrs. Dater
AT Home
THURSDAY, August 10.
Garden Party.
Dinner at 3:3O: Dancing O'Clock.
Is proper In this country 10 add at the head Of
Mr.. and Mrs. jerks and Party.
Mrs Dater,
At Home, August 2.
Garden Party,
y more than the master and mistress are expected.
On all AT Home" cards the letters K S V. p. are
engraved, and TO these answers should be sent as
5000 as possible. In answering this sort of gen.
eral invitation Mr. and Mrs. Jenk5 must respond
mentioning the names OF the friends whom they
VIII bring.
INVITATIONS TO EVENING RECEPTIONS
can also be issued on eat Home cards, and these
evening receptions become evening parties in full
dress.
In issuing invitations to meet a distinguished
person the card should read:
To meet the Secretary OF state andMrs. Eyarts,
US jerks
AT Home
Thursday. Maya
.J3OcIOck
The name OF the distinguished person should al
avoiding the bad grammar which Is created by
the mixed cards one generally sees Invitations
70 pail are always issued by the hostess alone,
three weeks before the ball. but the word ball Is
never used on an invitation, no matter how grand
the entertainment; the AT Home" card, with
.dancins' witten In the corner, must alone do
duty.
GESTLExESs INVITATIONS.
Invitations issued by gentlemen, officers men,
oers OF hunt, cadets, students, &C, always must
The officers OF the 9TH Regiment
request the pleasure OF
COR the honor on
Mr.. and Mrs SO and SOS Company
but this formula Is not used by a lady when giving
ball. In the case OF a written invitation II can
Dc and often Is used but the 'Oalr could be termed
"a dance Invitations TO a wedding are issued
fortnight before the dag and require no answer
card Is sent 70 the lady In whose name the cards
are Issued II the invited guest Is unable attend
The usual way 10 invite guests 10 luncheon would
Dc either by written invitation or "A verbal one
according 10 circumstances. IL Is In England an
htcere nODlOQS. uncertain meal which "a
Tons are never formally issued on invitation cards
The most formal lunches are ladies' luncheons in
New YORK, and 10 these the Invitations are for
mally written and often sent a fortnight In adj
vance Many h0stesses give their friends carte
avail themselves Of this, although men during the
tDhd0h se.,son are expected 10 do so. This prof.
presence of q casual visitor at luncheon is consid-
cred an acquisition
ETIQUETTE IN VISITING.
lady must be particular TO specify on her at
home eard whom she wishes TO see, and no lady
should go TO strange house unless she has re-
ceived card young man may be taken by a
married lady, because the married lady Is socially
al powerful, 10 q friends house. but a youny glrI
even, IAacA more married LADY, must receive a
e4ru- II, however, through any MISREPRESENTATION,
= person gets into house uninyited q hostess
should never show by look or manner that she has
observed ~. The very fact that the p.rson has
crossed her threshold gives thai person p cIain on
the hostess But she will be sure 10 spetL, Of N
aiterward, and people had better not go unless In
etiquette or the day One cannot be too particu ar
on tnts point Never accept those roundabout in
Fitdtlons Come and dine any day. there Is always
q plate for you at ny table, f" they mean nothing
lou WIN probably. IL you 20, find your incon,e-
Qlent most out dining. II your friend wishes YOU
70 come 10 dinner let him wish you 50 much thai
he Will specify day aud hour. Let him saw he
wishes Tor you "On THURSDAY, at O'clock And
yOu must remember. a5 an Invited guest to an
s"ef such an Invitation Immediately and To Keep
TIE engagement with Inuca sOlemu!ty "a YOU
would Al oath.
DINNER ENGAGEMEN-s
NO one can triie with a dinner engagement
Inc next day II Is considered proper TO make a
dinner call. particularly IN England and on the
continent When there is any doubt as TO whether
you should answer an invitation or not always
aLsNerN Very lew people are offended at pune
uilous PoHteAeSs- Invitations To 5-O'clock tea do
not require an answer. Invitations Uu visit at a
country house should be made very clear and
SHOULD De answered promptly. In England a host
invites you 10 come by "A certain train and tells
sOu Mnen 70 goa very great point IN hospitality
LOU are invited 20 arrive by the ..fhree train on
NSnday, 10 leave by the four train ON THURSDAY :"
wn..n means that you shall arrive before dinner
" aondav anu leaVe after luncheon on Thursday
OHce NIlsed ou rarely meet your host and hostess
unt4 u4nnsL ihese Invitations considered as
sdcteu anu uhalteraOle In English country houses.
anu should Or 80 IN ours The bad habit OF Ameri-
can hospitality has always been 10 have people 10
come and 20 10 suit their own convenience No
person should draw back from an Invitation given
ARD received unless lie Is compelled py sich ness or
death or some most imperative necessity F1rsr
invitations should always be reSDOuded IN rour