The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-18
AN AGREEABLE GUEST.

The longest visit that we read Of in
modern days was one which DIR. Isaac
Watts made at Lord Abney's in the Isle
of Wight. He went to spend fort
night, but they made him 80 happy that
he remained beloved and honored
guest for forty years.
Few Of US would care to make so long
visit as that, but might be worth the
while for us all to try and learn the Sc
cret of making ourselves agreeable and
welcome guests. To have ga nice time"
when, visiting is delightful, but to leave
behind US pleasant impression is worth
great deal more.
An agreeable guest is a title which any
one may be proud to deserve. great
many people, with the best intentions
and the kindest hearts, never receive it,
simply because they have never consid.
cred the subject, and really do not know
how to make their stay in another per-
sons home pleasure instead of an in
convenience. If you are one of these
thoughtless ones, you may be sure that,
although your friends are glad to see
you happy, and may enjoy your visit on
that account, your departure will be
followed with sigh of relief, as the
family settle down to their usual occupa-
tions, glad that the visit is over.
A great many different qualities and
habits go to make up the character of
one whom people are always glad to see.
and these last must be proved while We
are young, if we expect to wear them
gracefully. A young person whose pres
ence in the house is an inconvenience
and WEAKNESS at fifteen, is seldom a
welcome visitor in after-life.
The two most important characteris-
tics Of guest are tact and observation,
and these will lead you to notice and do
just what will give pleasure to your
friends in their different opinions and
ways Of living. Apply in its best senss
the maxim-"Wheny you are in Rome. do
as the Romans do"
Unless you have some good reason for
rot doing SO, let your friends know the
day, and, if possible, the hour when you
expect to arrive. Surprises are very
we'll in their way, but there are few
house holds in which it is quite conven-
lent to have friend drop in without
warning for protracted visit. If they
know that you are coming, they will have
the pleasure of preparing for you and
looking forward to your arrival, and you
will not feel that you are disturbing any
previous arrangements which they have
made for the day.
Let your friends know, il possible, soon
after you arrive, about how long you
mean to stay with them, as they might
not like to ask the question, and would
still find it convenient to know whether
your visit is to have duration of three
days or three weeks. Take with you
some work that you have already begun,
or some book that you are reading, that
you may be agreeably employed when
your hostess is engaged with her own
affairs, and not be sitting about idle, as
il waiting to be entertained, when her
time is necessarily taken up with some
thing else. Make her feel that. for a
small part at least of every day. no one
needs to have any responsibility about
amusing you.
A lady who is charming as a guest
and as hostess once said to me: II
never take nap in the afternoon when
am at home. but do when am visit
ing. because know what a relief it has
sometimes been to me to have company
lie down for little while, after dinner
Susan A. BrotcR.