Evening star., 1896-12-19
Ic EcT IN CARDS
What is the Proper Style for Visiting and
Dinners.
PastebOards for Men and Women
WeddiAg Invitations, Announce
ment Cards, &c.
Written foi The Evening Stnr.

Among the many little matters of eti-
Quette that may seem of trivial signifi-
canoe, but that women ought to be particu-
iarly concerned about, ale those of calls,
cards and notes. since nothing shows more
clearly whether the ways of the higher
world are familiar or strange
The social laws for the paying of calls
vary in different countries and cities. es-
pecially in regard to the initiative visit
whether 1t shall be paid by the new arrival
or the older resident.
In many foreign cities 1t Is a rigorous
requirement that this civility should be
SHOWN by the newcomer, and the stranger
who. through ignorance or obstinacy,
waits to receive it. will remain unknown
and unnoticed; 1t is the basis of invitations
without 1t they will not be forthcoming.
When visiting large city in the United
States, while 1t Is kind and friendly to he
the nrst to call upon those We know inti-
Hateiy, one would never begin an acouaint-
ance in that manner, and, in any case. It is
more dignified to communicate the fact of
pelng In town by sending card. Then the
responsibility OF courtesy rests with the
resident, VINO should call at once.
Style of Visiting Cards.
Next to the polteness of the visit ranks
the style Of the visiting card. Great care
should be shown in its selection. The best
Z
aggerated in size, or of fanciful tint or
have ornamental ink. 1t must be simple
and elegant in every respect.
For woman, the most fashionable card
at present is thin, square. moderately large
engraved in shaded Roman letters or in
script. However, the Roman letters may
prove passing fancy, whereas script has
the advantage of never being out of place
whatever new whims may prevail for
awhile.
Initials should not be used upon a visit
ing card; the entire name must be writ
ten An elderly woman may have the
Mrs only, but younger branches Of the
family are not entitled to this simplicity
of form. Many women have adopted 1t in
ignorance OF its real significance, believing
it to be a mark Of individual taste; but
1t belongs solely to the senior member OF
the family-it is a mark of age
Az Fashion Dictates.
A girls name should be on her mothers
card during her first season; afterwards
she should have q card of her own. This
rule should not be-but often is-ignored.
Folding cards in corners or in half. to
signify different things. is quite out Of
vogue: the poor taste of leaving a crumrled
card did not triumph long. Again. leaving
cards in packs Is now regarded as an alb
surdity. One is considered sufficient for
the whole household and is politely ac-
cepted as including every member of the
family that Is entitled to visit. When
there are guests however, cards are left
for them individually.
Invitations for almost every form of en-
tertainment, and the acceptance and regret
except for dinner or luncheon-can be
conveyed by this little medium-the visiting
card. The formal reception, as well the
nounced in this way, though in the latter
instance merely the day is engraved in the
lower left-hand corner, while for a more
ceremonious event the hour is mentioned.
as, II till -
Mems cards are much smaller than wo-
mems, because no announcements are likely
to be written upon them-nothing more
than the house or club address.
About Card Cases.
Convention gives wider range in the
choice of a card case than in the selection
of its contents. 1t may be made Of the
most remarkable saltwater snake, lizard
from green to gray, and monkey. which is
very popular But the most desirable of
all is elephant soft. velNety skin in
beautiful shade of deep yellowish brown.
1t Is rare and expensive on account Of the
dimculty in tanning 1t properly, for 1t
must be perfect in texture to be available
for dainty use.
cards are characterized by the same simple
though extreme refinement that marks the
visiting card. which Is a contrast to the
wedding cards a la mode Of fifty years
ago. These were intended to be very
splendid things, and true lovers knots, in
a blaze Of silver.
Menu cards copy the quiet elegance of
visiting cards. Those used for luncheons
are headed by the monogram Of the hos
tess. but es dinners are considered the
mans entertainment, only the husbands
monogram or crest must appear on the
dinner menu.
The bill of fare Is not written in French
SO often as 1t used to be. There are GER
tain French dishes for which the best
available translation would be ungainly,
therefore they keep their familiar French
titles; but there are SO many absurd mis-
takes to be found In the average French
flied menu, that when 1t Is possible and
appetizing the English term is preferred