The Washington times., 1894-07-22
LATE FASHIONS IN CALLS
Etiquette that Oils the Wheels Of So
cial Progress.
A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE
Tho New Arrival Should Take the Initiative.
Cards and Personal Calls-What Polite
ness Requires-social Amenities that Many
People Know but Not Few Neglect.

LONDON, July ia few words on the
fashion of paying and returning calls may
not be inappropriate, as points often occur on
a somewhat perplexing character. The broad
outline of "calling" is generally understood;
that is to say, that calls must in due course
be made, and consequently returned. What
is to be said about a first call? On arrival,
should calls be made ut once on friends and
acquaintance, or should they take the in
iative and be the first to call?
This question, SO often put. has but ono
answer, not only on the ground OF etiquette.
but also from common sense point OF view.
The arrival should be the first to call and, by
so doing, intimate the fact Of being in town,
and, consequently, having town address,
otherwise weeks may elap5e before acquaint-
ances become aware OF the exact whereabouts
of those who have arrived; and when the stay
is to be a short one, limited to weeks, the loss
OF time is to be regretted. This rule holds
equally good in country calling between ac-
quaintances, although intimate friendship oc-
casion it TO be reversed in many instances,
and it is then considered kind, friendly, and
polite to call Immediately it is known that a
popular neighbor has returned, and not to
wait to be taken in turn with tho more cere-
moniops calls.
How, soon should a call be returned If the
caller is a new arrival in town? Within
the week. engagements permitting, and.
better still, within three or four days. 1t is
idle to expect to find any one at home during
the calling hours, bu. calls are made never
theless and cards left. 1t NAV be asked what
is the use of calling when there is a certainty
that the answer Not at home" will be re-
ceived? 1t has distinct use. A call
is Il politeness shown to the per-
son called upon, and, moreover, II
forms a basis for invitations. Without invita-
tions society would be at n deadlock, and
without calling invitations would not be
forthcoming on the ground tha. those who
are in town and well enough to call, natur-
ally do SO. Illness or absence could alone
prevent this from being done-two formida-
BILE bars to the acceptance of invitations.
After the first interchange OF calls what
length OF time should follow before second
CARL? This is point were little hesitation
steps in. Say new arrival has called and
been called upon within the week. when
should the call De repeated? Most probably
some kind OF an invitation will reach her. II
an evening entertainment, she will have the
opportunity of leaving cards afterward or
calling il it is 4 dinner invitation. Failing in
yitations, within three weeks would
be reasonable time wherein to
call by an acquaintance only making
brief stay IN town, otherwise six weeks
Cr two months might be allowed to
expire before again calling. Not infrequently
a new arrival sends ont invitations as soon as
calls have been returned. This gives an
opening for further calling on the new arrival
il invitations are of the nature as before
stated. otherwise the acceptance of an invita-
ton TO luncheon or afternoon tea is equiva-
lent to call. end does not necessitate a sub
sequent one, providing people are intimate
with each other, otherwise after an invitation
to luncheon call usually follows within
fortnight.
question that occurs to many is whether
it is more correct to return first call on an
''at home day" or on any other day of the