The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-06-21

When to take leave Is oftener than
not as perplexing a moment as when
to arrive, and each social function Of
fers it's little difficulties In this res
pect. Fannie Marlowe writing in
Chaperone Magazine, says that "ae
home" days are occasions when savoir
falre is put to the test in the matter
of departure. The regulation conven-
tional time for a call on an "at home"
day is about twenty minutes, but this
can be heightened out to half an hour
or forty minutes, circumstances being
favorable, or shortened to ten minutes
when the position is distinctly unfa-
vorable to a longer stay.
When to take leave at a dinner
party is somewhat of a problem, and
requires little judicious decision. The
fact of having ordered the carriage at
a certain hour partially besides tho
question, but not altogether so. The
customary hour varies from 1890 to
10:45 p. NJ, and yet to take leave the
instant the carriage is announced is
not complimentary to a host and host
ess. At 10:45, however, hurried
good night" might be gracefully said,
as this fifteen minutes stay satisfies
the susceptibilities of even a punctil-
ious hostess. The departures after a
dinner party are made almost stimuli
taneously, the guests literally follow
ing each other.
when to leave" at ball Is a very
elastic rule, which varies to suit the
circumstances Of the case. To leave
as soon after supper as may be, or to
stay until a ball Is actually over are
equally correct courses to follow. To
remain until the morning dawns is q
proof Of with what elan and spirit the
entertainment has been kept up. On
the other hand, 2:30 A. NJ. is a general
time at which 10 take leave, and 1t Is
allowed that the swellest people sell
dom stay beyond it, save those who re-
main simply for the pleasure of dane
ing. At balls during the season many
do not remain beyond half an hour or
so, and then pass on to another func-
ton, and to yet third, but these are
the exceptions to the general run OF
departures at balls.
At small dances the guests leave al
most as collectively as at dinner par
ties, as far as engagements permit Of
doing so, and commence to take leave
when the last dance is going on, those
dancing following the lead, the ma
jority taking leave about 2 A. M.
At receptions and evening parties
the majority of the guests take leave
Immediately after supper between Ia
M. and A. NJ, but this is not the case
with those who have other engage
ments and who go on TO other parties
remaining about half an hour to each
one. thus at crowded receptions the
departures commence before the arTiv-
ais have ceased to be announced.
The usual hour at which to take
| leave after luncheon is 3 o'clock, and
unless pressed to do so luncheon guests
| should not remain beyond this hour
| to avoid mountaineering a hostess in
| the matter of her afternoon engage
ments 1t is quite immaterial which
| of the guests is first 10 take leave; age
oonfers neither precedency nor privil.
ege in this matter, neither does mar
| riage,
AT wedding receptions it is usual tc
| take leave Immediately after the de.
parture Of the bride and bridegroom
1t being considered discourteous tc
leave earlier, unless engagements rem
der doing 50 imperative and the bridal
departure is postponed over p. NJ.