The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-09-27

amenities OF IllC winch Tor any house
hold constitute charm when visiting.
Social laws are just about the same in
town or out, while good breeding and
stern formality go side by side when
entertaining is in question.
Perhaps IN no country has there been
n better example of social usages and
good manners than in France, where
the art was 50 finely eXemplified in
the brilliant salons OF the beautiful Re
camier and clever Mime. Mora; where
men of letters and women of mark met
weekly TO discuss the topics of tho
times, to follow the abstruse questions
of the day, and where sparkle and bril-
liancy seemed, as it were, to flash from
each person. Subjects although weighty
in themselves, became as clear as
lucid water when handled by these in
tellectual spirits who had made them
an object of research for years. In rooms
where these receptions were held the
furniture was often out at the elbows
and the curtains faded and worn Mel
ther tempting collation. nor fashionable
music was held out as an additional
charm. Still, when the time came, they
were generally crowded with men and
women who delighted in the feast of
reason and flow of soul. -
Nowadays true hospitality is really
at very low ebb, especially in big CEN
terS where there are axes to grind every
day III the year, so that to meet ones
acquaintances it must be at formal
dinner or company luncheon, or perhaps
an afternoon reception, where guests
appear, stay few moments and then
depart The old fashioned way of break
ing bread informally or the request
Come and take salt with me in my at
tic, " has long since passed away. To
the woman who fully understands the
art OF giving good dinners her invita-
tions are sent out at least some seven
days i'll advance-that is, if the function
is formal one.
But formal or informal affairs of this
sort arc just about the same in methods
devised for entertaining. The chief
point required is that care should be
taken as to those selected for the feast
and that they should be so we'll grouped
Ill topics Of conversation that an inter
est will DO given TO all. The clever
hostess is often the go between, amiable
to be sure, but without doubt the ruler
OF the occasion, insisting that each
guest should have a chance to offer an
opinion which shall be listened to with
out interruption. In the giving of social
functions, particularly dinners, CONT
mental people, who perhaps are the finest
Of entertainers, declare that one hour is
the allotted time for any formal meal.
At the expiration of that period, be it
breakfast, dinner or luncheon, the con-
versation generally lags, and what was
delight in the beginning becomes in
the end a bore
Afternoon teas have had long reign.
and, although still in favor, are often
stupid affairs, owing to the fact that
the hostess is a poor one.
or all social gayoties the afternoon
reception is the one where, being a pro-
miscuous assembly, introductions should
be given. We all know that women as
class are sticklers for propriety and
are unwilling to recognize each other
unless formally presented, however
much the rooftree is respected. AS for
the American man, naturally he has
but little time for everyday social
affairs, however enjoyable they may be,
and it is very wise conclusion that
even in the big centers, where distances
are so great and time so precious, it is
really compliment for a man to call
and pay his respects
Afternoon functions, TO be success,
require generalship on the part of the
hostess. A word here or an introduction
there, is much appreciated so that each
guest at least should receive some small
share OF attention, and if line like this
is well followed out "wallfiowers"
will indeed be scarce in that drawing
room.
In all gatherings where men and wo-
men assemble naturally the touch and
go OF small talk generally occupies
most OF the time, yet underneath this
crust of vapid sayings there is always an
intellectual longing that creeps up to-
ward the surface and takes hold even
i'll the dullest of places.
Perhaps in the giving of social func-
tions, especially if it lisa sit down affair.
n tactful hostess might to each of her
followers give surreptitiously slight
knowledge of the person presented. A
few words will suffice for the woman
OF ordinary culture, who will then know
what topics to Introduction it is q
woman's prerogative always to COM
mence conversation-making for the
time interesting themes and thereby
adding to the comfort of her hostess.
who will gladly thank her afterward
for her wise consideration. The clever
hostess is one that is eagle eyed-in
fact, veritable Cyclops, who at glance
takes in all shortcomings and brings
out the salient points of those who will
do her credit Another important dutv