The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-03-20
THE ETIQUETTE OF CARDS.

In cards themsel es custom allow
comparatively little latitude, the sligh
changes in size, shape and thickness be
ing too insignificant to need frequen
consideration. A lady's card should b'
4 moderate dimensions, about three and
three quarters by two and a half inches.
Large or small sizes are not in gooO
aste. The paste board should be oi
good quality and only moderate thick
ness and of pure white or dellcai'
ere IN TINT; no color lie admissible, and
silt edge Il the height Of vuIgarity. Th'
most elegant card is, of course, en-
graved; written ones come next, Whit
II ose which are printed must be clAssr'
with the gilt edge. Even where th'
question Uf expense is 10 be considered.
n engraved plate is better than print
ing, for allowing the greater origins
.ost, the cards will always be uniform,
in quality and the plate will last as loDI
as needed Of late years these plate
are to be had at very small price and
the striking off of the cards costs bu
title. If a written card be used, am
ur own handwriting is not Equal TO tn
r, requirements, have them done in boil
Ut natural style, eschewing the work
4 the imitator of copper plate, as wei
ts the hUurishes of the writing master
Circumstances alter the arrangement
of name. A married lady whose hui
and is living should make use Of his, a
Mrs. James Richmond" II on IN
'ontrary, she is widow her card ma
read, Mrs Mary R chmond," th0ugl
many widows object to this last meth0'
and keep to the irst form. II the lady
Is the only person in the society OF
mall place, who bears her name, or !
he acknOw lodged head of her family.
he may use "Mrs. R chmond" alont
The oldest daughter of the house WI
nave simply "MIss Richmond" upon he
ARD, thus signifying that she is The ola
~, while her sisters will have "Mls
Alice Richmond" and MISS Llur
Richmond" instead. Some young girl
ff-ct an ultra simplicity and use Ih'
name without "Mlss;' this is never elr
CANT, and its simpllci y lacks dignity, a
much as would the mothers card II tn
prefix Mrs" were omitted. 10 cite
the street and number should, for th'
axe Of convenience, be engraved in on
'orner, while the day of reception ma,
occupy the other.
Cards have become very useful as tn
means Of conveying somewhat inform
invitations. For dinners, balls, au'
lher very ceremonious occasions they
re inadequate, but for dances, lunches,
ut home" and teas they are in gooo
'aste. The words "at home" are write
upon the card by the hostess herself. y
,lso the hour and often the nature OF tn
entertainment, as Dancing. ""Pr gre
sive Euchre The envelope should TX
actly fit the card, and while it is no. ou
of place to send by mail, it is in bette
aste that they be delivered by servant,
The convenient card is also used II
replying to invitations. This is fire..
quenly correct, but not unless the inv'-
tatlon itself was in that form. Where
one more formal was engraved, or writ
ten in the third person a note, also IL
the third person. is necessary. In usInl
the card the phrases, Accepts with
pleasure" or, Regrets to decline" ar
proper, but it is not allowable to merel,
write Accepts" or "Declines," a. th'
is too curt form to be really courteous
Good Housekeeping.