The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-03-27
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ties are most prominent amongst society
gatherings. The reason for this is not far
to seek. An evening party is considered a
less festive entertainment than a dance;
but a more potent reason is the fact that
to this description of gathering general
society can be invited, instead of only
the dancing portion of it. They offer the
advantage of being a useful entertain
ment, to which a large number of guests
can be hidden without too great a strain
upon the energies of the hostess. besides
which they supply a want that is felt,
namely. ito go somewhere" and ito give
something"
What is the difference between a re-
ception and an evening party? Til diff
ference really consists in the number
present, and the extent of arrangements
made for the entertainment. Broadly
speaking, where and by whom the func-
tion is given regulates the title by which
it is known. and it goes without saying
that when given at one of the embas-
sizes, or by wives Of Cabinet ministers.
or by leading members Of the a~ristoc-
racy. it would be styled a reception. and
from 500 guests and upward would be
present at it; but when given by persons
in ordinary positions, residing in houses
which cannot exactly be called man
sions in a literal sense, the word recep-
ton would be considered pretentious and
ambitious as applied to the gathering,
hence the term evening party is gener-
ally considered the proper designation
for it.
The givers of both receptions and even
ing parties have one thing in common,
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guests than the rooms can conveniently
hold. At grand receptions the guests
move through the suites of reception
rooms propelled inward by the crowd.
At small evening parties there is still a
crowd, but little or no movement, on ac-
count of want of space, there being no
suites of rooms through which to circu-
late. There is. of course. a crush through
out the evening, and this is what a host
ess likes best; she likes to see her rooms
full. Her guests. however, are not always
of this opinion. and some venture TO say
that it is not the best compliment to pay
to ones friends to invite them to a house
where they are so wedged in with other
guests that it is impossible even to raise
an arm for the purpose of shaking hands
with an acquaintance.
At an official reception, although the
crowd is even greater considering the
space at command. the size of the build
ing alone is held responsible for the
crush. as the official world and its rela-
tions cannot be excluded from an official
reception The givers of evening parties
are not so heavily handicapped, but they,
too, have their visiting lists to study and
private friendships to consider, so much
so that oftener than not, when an even
j party is projected, it is found neces-
$ TO give w within a few days of
e. other to include all those who
should be asked.
The invit fions to both receptions and
evening pa lies are issued on At Home
cards. but these words should not be
printed on the cards.. At Home 10 to
1879 to y being the received form. When
any distinguished guest is to be present,
To meet such orssueh an one'a should
be written at the top of the cards, and
whatever amusement is provided should
be mentioned at the bottom Of the cards.
10 large receptions a band is usually the
sole attraction provided. AT evening
parties instrumental and vocal music
takes the place OF a band. unless some
greater novelty is Introduced. 1t is gem
orally understood that the guest should
arrive almost Immediately after the hour
mentioned. and either come and go dur
ing the two hours or remain to supper.
The majority do the latter. even if they
are unable to arrive until 1880. In the
height of the season arrivals, owing to
other engagements, are often delayed to
q late hour. but at this time of the year
guests generally put in an appearance
very much sooner after supper, depar-
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guests do not return to the reception
rooms. The style of supper given at
receptions is. as a rule. on the lines of
a ball supper, and even at evening parties
it is the thing to give what is termed a
irst-rate supper. and those who give
light refreshments only are the excep-
ions to this received custom.
AS regards leaves taking, 1t is not con-
cidered necessary to take formal leave
of either host or hostess, the crowd rem
dering this next to impossible. If an OPP
portunity offers itself. however, for shak-
ing hands with either. it should be taken
4dxantage of. and those last to leave
fredsently enjoy this privilege.
When IN a gathering of women, if the
opportunity were taken to- note the pro-
file of many. it would be found that she
~ VIM alCoSCS ilCI lld1f ll1SL Naturally pre-
sents a spectacle of greater refinement
than she who fortunes unwilling locks in
to unaccustomed ways. A glimpse of
snowy neck, a dainty pink ear, shaded
by ripping tendrils of hair, but not con-
cealed. is a. fascinating point for the mas
culdne gaze to rest upon. but when the
she1llike ear is d~islgured by a cash in
which a huge stone or meal devise is
hung, the beauty of all is destroyed. A
diamond in its proper place is a beautiful
thing, but its place is not the ear lobe
Of a woman. It vulgarizes a profile that.
in its absence might have presented the
greatest expression of delicate refine
ment.
When the earring was universally worn
the mothers piereced the ears OF their
Tiny tots. hanging IN them all sorts Of
objects. from bird cages to church bells.
very little was thought Of the matter.
It went hand-in-hand with many other
relice Of barharism that were thought 10
be all right. matters OF dress, deportment
and customs, that are now described by
the expressive feminine Word OF 'horrid.s Z
If any mother has the fainest Iinger-
ing intention OF piercing her daughters
ears, let some one say 10 her most e1n-
@phatically, don't" You might as well
pierce her nose for a nose Jewel. 1t has