Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-17

Mrs. NJ. Z. W. Sherwood answers the fol.
lowing questions on etiquette for The DIS
PATCH this week:
Z. f. Earnest asks: "Will you explain
the etiquette of engagement rings and on
what finger should the ring be worn? Is it
proper for a young lady to wear one when
not engaged? When was the custom estab-
lished?
The custom of wearing wedding and en-
gagement rings is lost in a remote antiquity.
Of course no one would wear either but as a
signet of betrothal or marriage. A handsome
diamond is the usual gift of lover to his ''fair
ladye" when she consents to be his. She wears
II on the third finger of her right hand, nor re-
moves it until he puts the plain gold wedding
ring on. Then the engagement ring takes the
place OF guard.
Barbara Warren asks ~ 'if it is proper
to take leave of the host at an evening party?"
1t is not necessary.
(2). please tell me how to eat an egg prop
erly from an egg cup?"
Put the egg in the small end and delicately
break to top of. the shell. There are many
people however, who prefer to have the egg
broken into the large end, and to salt and
pepper the whole mass. Either way is proper
enough.
Isl. 1t is not well to eat the garnishing of a
salad.
%. A gentleman always prccedes lady 60
ing up and down stairs.
(5). "Is it permissible in small Western
town for a gentleman meeting lady on the
street to invite her to ball?"
Yes, if the acquaintance was intimate enough,
and manner and customs rural, we should say
(6). when a hostess pours coffee for guests
should she put in the cream and sugar or allow
the gusts to do so?"
She should ask each guest if she shall do SO
if she is sitting at the head of the table.
CARDS AND TITLES.
sheridan Avenue" asks: rs it proper to ad-
dress letter or card to a lady by her husbands
name if he is dead?"
Yes if she uses his name.
"Is it proper to leave cards when the lady is
at homer"
Yes, if she is engaged and cannot see you.
should minister be called doctor or plain
Mr. ?"
If he is doctor of divinity give him his
title; if not, call him plain Mr."
&c. V. B." asks: "If on going to see friend
/ should be introduced to young lady calling
there, and we exchange invitations to visit,
which should call first alter the meeung?
There can be no law on this point; either
should call as soon as possible.
''Old Subscriber asks: 'ln regard to invita-
tions to balls and weddings, if there is young
man or young woman in the family, is it req
uisite to send either a special invitation, or
will one to the parents be Sufncient?'
1t is more complimentary to send an especial
one TO the young man or maiden.
Ignorance" asks ''how to serve nice din
ner?'
This is long question and requires long
experience. She had better buy some good
work on the subject
''Cayton'' asks: rs it proper to take bread
from the bread plate with the fingers or with
fork?'
Always with the fingers.
t2). 'In making party call should the lady
leave her husbands card?n
Of course.
81. within what time should a party call be
made9"
In London it is always made the next day; in
New York within week.
WHAT PUZZLES MEN.
"Jack" asks: when gentleman makes a
formal call should he wear his overcoat into
the parlor, keeping his hat in his hand, or
should he leave them in the hall?"
A gentleman leaves his heavy overcoat in the
hall, buT he carries Lis hat in his hand.
Inquirer" asks: AT small but formal din !
ner party should guest ask leave of each of |
the guests separately or only of the host and |
hostess, with general bow to the rest of the |
company?n !
Etiquette is satisfied if the departing guest |
takes leave only of his host and hostess |
Constant Reader asks: "If bridegroom |
is SO years old, what colored gloves does he wear
at his wedding?'
Wo should say lavender; his years do not |
make a more gloomy color necessary on SO |
suspcious an occasion.
Upon going into the dining room, who &C.
companies the bride?'
The groom.
rs there such thing as groom's cake. and |
who cuts it? What place does the groom oc-
cnpy at the table?'''
At wedding breakfast the groom sits next
the bride, and there is no such thing as a
groom's cake.
Miss Propriety' writes: st live in univer-
sity town, and it seems to me that the rules of |
propriety are somewhat relaxed ar to the stu
dents and their young girl friends. If a young
girl receives an invitation TO go TO a football or
baseball game, should she have a chaperon, or
is over would it be proper for them to go to the
rooms of their student friends without an older
lady?"
1t is proper enough for Young girls to 20 to
see game OF ball in party, especially if in
vIted by their brothers. but it would be much
better if they were accompanied by a chaperon
if they are invited to a breakfast at the rooms
of the students.
"Delia" asks: "Is it proper TO address Young
ladies as the Misses Beach, if they are aunt and
niece?"
No: one should address the older lady as
Miss Beach, the niece as Miss Anna Beach
HE is EMBARRASSED.
&C. A H." asks the following embarrassing
question: Il have been corresponding with a
young lady. Over week ago wrote to her,
but failed to mail the letter. This evening I
received note from her, inquiring: What is a
gentleman's duty upon receiving a letter from
a ladyT and she inclosed her card. What did
she mean?'
Probably delicate little scolding for your
neglect.
catherine Deyburn" asks: "what is a proper
thing TO do upon receiving an invitation to q
wedding which you are unable to attend?'
Send your card on the wedding day.
"Young Naval Officer" asks: Am expected
10 wear my uniform at private parties? 1t is
very stiff and uncomfortable"
No; an army or naval officer must wear his
uniform on state occasions or a visit TO his
chief, TO weddings, and to fancy balls, but he is
allowed the freedom of plain clothes on all
Dther occasions. 1t might be whispered in his
ear that he looks much better in uniform than
be does in plain Clothes however.
1t is great drawback to the brilliancy Of
American streets and American parties that
all the men are in solemn black. The beauty
and popularity of fancy balls is therefore |
keenly appreciated by all lovers of color and
In Europe, where at every ball, even
IN sober England, are seen men in uniform, in
costume and with orders and ribbons the eff
feet is very much handsomer. Every street in
! foreign city is enameled with costumes. The
Turks. the Persians. the Tunisians walk about
Paris and London in their gay dress: the bril-
liant scarlet of the guards and common SOL
1iers lights up the city of the Thames and in |
Rome the soldiers, ecclesiastics and occasional |
visitors from foreign climes make the narrow
Corso or the bridge of St Angelo brilliant;
while our streets are innocent of any such en- |
Dellishment In Spain the drivers of carts and
Of donkeys are handsome in their CAV rags,
while the passing matado is superb. Nowhere
rise the young naval officer to wear his uniform
whenever he can.
SHE WORE A CoRoNET.
Matilda" writes: 81 have lately returned
from Europe, and wore head dress of gold
Doupht in Rome at a party in Landau heard |