Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-13

An invitation to a musical party, where all
should be seated, requires an answer more
than any other invitation, excepting din
ner invitation. Also wear light evening
gown. In New York musicales are often
given at 2:3O, because there is large music
loving crowd in New York who have plenty
of leisure. In smaller towns it would be
well to give them in the evening, but there
is no law as to hours; suit your convent
ence.
A very light supper is usually given when
music is offered. Oysters and salads, punch
or champagne and ices
'Tryphonia" asks: "Would it be proper
to offer a gentleman the use of mustache
cup, if in eating soup you see he needs it?
We have a friend visiting US with very
heavy mustache. Should he feel hurt if I
suggested that it would be better to use
mustache cup when he is eating soup, as it
all adheres to his mustache and drips down
on his clothes?"
No, it would not be proper for you to
offer the gentleman any relief in these enl-
barrassing circumstances. Never notice
peoples personal habits or let them see that
you do
"Miss Softly" writes: Having had occa-
sion to engage new maid, French
woman, I find she objects to cap and apron,
though from different reasons from those
given by the Irish. Shall insist on her
wearing them? Do the best families insist
on this popularity of domestic livery?"
Your French maid, at home, would never
dare to appear without cap and apron. She
is feeling the effects of the republican insti-
tutions.
Yes, the neatest housewives and ladies in
sist on the white cap and apron, and it is
very much neater than any other dress.
WEDDING INVITATIONS.
"Rosa" asks the never ceasing question,
"Should an invitation to church wedding
be acknowledged if you can attend it, and
if SO, how shall the acknowledgment be
made?''
1t requires no answer. You go if you
please, or stay away. Call at the house af-
terward.
"Miss January" asks: Chow shall I
address a note to Mrs. Fuller, the
wife of the Chief Justice? Shall say
Hon. Mrs. Judge Fuller Mrs. Chief JUS
tice Fuller, or Mrs Fuller2'"
Simply Mrs. Fuller. Address your note,
"The Chief Justice and Mrs. Fuller" The
wife does not take the husbands title in
this country.
young Widow" asks: "In leaving off
mourning at the age of 40 how ought I to
dress? 1 am very young looking, with a
bright complexion and sunny hair. l fancy
ought to dress in plain colors, but 1 do
not wish my quiet tastes, increased by
years of mourning, to carry me too far. My |
consciousness Of youths departure is max
ing me, my friends say, TOO grave. 1 have |
never cared for or studied the art of costume
much"
"Young Widow" should 60 to Worth, who
always asks lady's moral qualities when |
he dresses her, and says he wishes to know |
if widow mourns her husband with feel |
ing and magnifcence," or with feeling and |
economical dispositions.
With the bright complexion and sunny |
hair we should recommend the young widow |
to wear gray.
"John Campbell" asks: "What is a
Chippendale chair? What is a Vernis |
Martin table? What is Sheraton desk? |
and what is pocket bonoonniere?"
The latter is a little silver box, with
sugared rose leaves and sugared violets, that
ladies carry to the opera. The Sheraton
desk and Chippendale chair bear the names
of their makers, and can be seen at Sypher's.
The Vernis Martin refers to very fine kind |
OF varnish, invented by coachmaker in
Paris in 1850 named Martin. It is now ap-
piled to very elegant tables.
Mrs. Schreifi'" asks: "How shall in
troduce into society young man who has
no mother or sisters just home from college.
have no acquaintances in New York and
he has none, yet he belongs to the best fam
lily in the town where he lives"
Alas! We cannot answer this question.
"Leonora" asks: "When persons are in
the habit of exchanging visits and social
courtesies is it the custom to invite to a
lunch or dinner the guest who is staying in
the house and not the young lady herself?"
Yes, it is decidedly the custom to ask the
person wanted to dinner orlunch. 1t would
be impolite to leave the young lady hostess
out of a large party. The matter of invita-
tions is troublesome one. No one, how
ever, should ever ask hostess to do other
wise than she chooses. She may have
thousand reasons which she cannot explain
son may be a charming girl, an acquisition
to any entertainment, but there may be
reasons why she cannot be asked.
WEDDING GIFTS.
"Good Feeling" asks: SIS it correct or
incorrect to leave the card of the sender of
wedding gifts at the house, or should it be
attached to the gift?"
Always attached to the gift.
"Mary Templeton" asks: "Shall ac-
knowledge the receipt of gentleman's
card, received at New Years, by sending
mine back?"
No. A lady does not send her card to a
gentleman. She accepts the attention
silently.
Fitzpatrick" asks: eff lady wishes to
make present to a person rather below her
in station should she send her card, with
her initials, or should she put her full
name?"
She should put her full name, as the card
with her initials would look rather dubious.
1t would not be respectful to the person
honored with the gift, and might be misin-
terpreted on her side, while honesty, candor
and good feeling are seldom misinter-
preted.
&c. L. M" asks: "What is good name
for the gentleman to whom one is engaged?
Shall 1 say my intended?' That sounds
stiff Shall I say the gentleman I am en-
gagged TOP That is very long. What is the
best form? and is there not better phrase
than keeping company or 'courting?'"
Our language IS very poor in these equiya-
Tents. In France a gentleman who aspires
to lady's hand is called "a pietendant,"
but we have no exact name for the "beau."
As for courting, it is a good, old-fashioned,
pretty word, much better than keeping
company"
'Winifred johnson" asks: "Is it proper
to marry within the year of mourning? If
so, what does the bride wear? Should she
give q reception? If so, do the guests come
in black? Does her mother wear black?"
1t is the custom to wait year, but if