The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-08

"Thursdavs until Lent" or any week
day for any or all of the months or the
season. engraved IN the left lower coin,i'
of a visting-card. with the ADDRESS III ',e
RIGHT corner. Is the form in whlch iaus
Of fashion. or any hostess WHO Is aoio ~ -,
entertain. makes il known when she VIII
be at home to her friends.
To all the names on her Vsiting-list IN
tho citv or town in which she IVES anu
in all the ncighboring towns anu supu - -,
in envelopes TO fit them eNactly' idus
sends these cards by man aDouS a..
,.eci,s before the first day one Is
a'dSrcseed for instance. TO Mr.. and Mrs.
Iohn Tudor Fairfield" another 10 ne
Misses Fairfield" and another TO MT
Iohn Tudor Fairfield. jun" all sent IN
seperate envelopes, or enclosed togelher
in a large outside envelope addressed 10
"Nr. and Mrs John Tudor Falrneiu'
Win the direction, the names only being
on the inside envelopes.
In other ways n hostess may notify hei
friends Of her receiving-day: In the lnNi-
tations 10 a large AT Home OF n'i
daughters cominC-out reception; or, n
bride. with her wedding invitations. FER
hans she gives the information very quiet
" n she As in mourning or unable 10 en-
terrain. hut wishes surely 10 see hef
friends when they call. and so In making
visits herself leaves her cards with only
one dav-as. thursdays on
them. this being the sole means she uses
10 let her friends know when she VIII see
them. or possibly. from the time she mas
begun 20 entertain, hostess has re-
served q certain day In the week for re-
ceiving. which is always engraved on
her visitng-cards. and is well remen-
bered by all on her calling-hst
Having put her cards in bowl or sal
yer. the guest then enters the drawing
room. Perhaps she is announced by a
man in attendance at the door OF THIS
room. perhaps her card has been handed
ON small silver tray to the lady Of the
house or. II not. and she walks IN unan-
nounced. the hostess must trust 70 rea-
DIV memory for recollectng names and
faces at a moments notice. In an emer-
eency, Of course, the guest VIII at once
mention her own name as she sees
slight hesitation or embarrassment in the
manner Of the lady who advances 10
greet her.
There may be one or two other ladies
receiving who. with the visitors, are
seated talking in groups. The callers are
all dressed In outdoor costumes, which
are quiet and inconspicuous, but the de-
tails of the tailor-made or French de-
signed walking dresses are very complete,
including the hats or bonnets, which
harmonic with the gowns, the English
handmade boots, the perfectly fitting
gloves. and pretty card-case that each
caller carries in her hand or nun.
Tactfully and gracefully the hostess
brings the newly arrived visitor into the
conversation of the particular group OF
ladies among whom she takes a seat. not
necessarily introducing her TO them all,
but cleverly managing. If possible. that
she leaves them discussing some topic
OF common interest when she rises 10
greet or say farewell 10 another visitor.
After q few minutes conversation, as
tho hostess rises, and the other ladies in
the group perhaps take their departure
or move away, the newcomer seeks the
tea table, which may be in the dining
room or in the receivlng-room at con-
venient distance I'm some corner. Here a
young girl usually presides-a daughter.
sister or friend--who gathers about her
a merry company with scattering OF
young men. who are in the correct after
noon calling costume OF black frock-coat
and waistcoat. dark gray trousers. light
tie. end carving their tall silk hats and
walkng-sticks in their hands. -Harper's
Bazaar