Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-06-26

WLllc pOllLcIcSS Is a SuD5IdnIlAi anu
permanent expression of good will and
kind feeling.
II we accept It as the dictate of
courtesy that ones guests should be in
troduced, it follows that they should be
introduced in such a WY as to make it
easy to fall into conversation. 1t is
not necessary that the hostess should
present Mr.. Smith as ''the Australian
explorer" or Miss Brown Is 'the au-
thor of that charming poem in the
Age" Such an Introduction almost
necessltates a personal turn to the cou-
versatIon, and makes il decidedly awk-
ward for the other person, who may
never have heard of the Australian ex-
pedition OF the poem. In nothing IS
the skill OF the hostess so clearly shown
rs in this word with which she shoves
the boat Of new acquaintance OF the
social strand. A hint of some topic in
which the people introduced are mu-
tually interested, an allusion TO an ac-
quaintance which they hold In common,
a mention of some place, book or pic
ture familiar to both, launches them
successfully; and the hostess may turn
to her other guests with her mind At
ease If she Is wise, she will have
asked several persons, preferably young
share the duties of introducing and Ell
tertaiuing. She will also have invited
several more men than women. in order
10 have a circulating medium; as a
man may without awkwIrdness he lett
standing alone, u woman never
Nothing in the line of party-giying
is 50 easy as a small evening party 1t
Is often pleaSantest when such guests
as come to see you, and d. not, as En-
erson says, interpOSs a screen OF things
between you and them Have done
with apologies Deficiencies speak for
themselves, and their mouths are not
to bs shut by explanations. Welcome
| your guest heartily, set bef re HIM your
| best OF material and spiritual refresh
ment, and then cease 10 be over-anxious
as to his enjoyment.
Let the rooms be softly, but not
| dimly, lighted Lamps, except for
odOr of kerosene, are preferable TO gas,
on account of the milder light Sirew
the tables with books and phot graphs,
,'raw chairs and sofas into easy groups,
that four or i've gusts may talk TO-
| gether without effort IL refreshments
| are 10 be passed, have everything ready
| in a side room, and strive u time the
/ serving 50 that il may ill pause, IN
/
conversation or music. Instruct the
servant that all the people III the same
| group are TO be served at the same
time If not too warm, light ire, as
a gathering point Add TO these sur
| rOundings the inspiring presence of a
/ genial host and hostess, and what guest
could fail to respond by a cheerful
readiness TO enter into the spIr,t II
/ festivityI
Alasl there are people who settle
back a leaden weight upon their enter
tainers; people whose eyes are liked on
a hole in the sofa cover while they lis
ten languidly TO their host; people wh''
appear TO regard vivacity as mark Uf
inferior breeding-social oysters, who
hope, by never opening their shells, Ia
deceive tile world into the belief that
they hold a pearl. All these are as
common as they are depressing. The
ideal guest is much more rare than the
ideal hostess. The role involves the
power to play second fiddle gracefully,
TO take time from the first violin, and
aim simply TO aid the general eu'ct.
With no personal interest IN making a
party "A success, TO throw ones vita
euer sIes into the breach is a stretch of
altruisIs as rare as admirable
ar2y of guests lies i'll that phrase; Iht
expenditure of vital energy" We, a.
n race, are too tired for social enjoy
ment. An editor who was invited TO
literary gathering to listen to paper
responded, with more yigor than civ
Ility: Good graciousl would You ask
man who had been feeling trees all da,
, for living to come to a wood-chopplnI
party in the evening for fun?"
The task of making society sociabi'
. may well stagger hostess II 1t involve
first T, gulating the busines day OF Til
guest. But that a leisure class doe
not solve the problem is sufficiently At
tested by Byron's description of
society, one vast and polished horde
Formed of two mighty tribes, the bore
and bored"
This Is the verdict of one who had trle
all the luxury and elaboration tina
could be devised by a class which mad
, society chief pursuit. Suppose, ther
[ we begin at the other end. and tr
: what help may lie in simplihcatIon, an
the adaptation OF society to the require
e ments of busines men and busy w
:. men; in adopting social code wherel
: the only thing demanded OF the host
D shall be a spirit of hospitality, and tl'
ONLY requisition of the guests readines
] TO be entertained and a desire TO cou
4 tribute something TO the hilarIty OF III
D OCCASION