The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-11

rom those with whom she NAV be con-
Verssng. and step forward 10 greet the
newcomer and speak TO her FOR few min
ates until she fir6s comfortable seat
When s. visitor enters drawing room sh~
should study 20 enter with seif-posssss-
sos ans eoiapasure. To some nervous VIC
mssn X is, uniouh. eddy and awkward mo-
nent when entering room fGl OF possl
bic strangers hut the ordeal should be
gone through with as smiling a face as
may os, and X is. at the worst. a very
snort ordeal. for. having shaken hands
ard greeted you. the hostess WITH hasten
TO pass you on 10 a seat somewhere 81
the room. sc she may De az l4hs'rty 10 re-
ee.te the other incomlne x4ssts.
When entering a drawing room L Is
great mistake 10 stop ard speak 10
friends until the hostess has been greet
ed. II is enough 10 bow and smile and
perhaps say. In passing. i'm see you
again presently" 1t is Also not the hes;
taste 10 SO round the room and shake
hands with every one Of your acquaia,-
ances who may be present. II is better
10 DOW 10 those who may be further of.
and vail Tor the chance that NAV bring
them your way, Not. however that II
would be Incorrect once during the visit
to change your seat for one by an init
mate friend with whom you may wish 10
speak.
we have so far been regarding the Wis
itor as calling with number OF others,
but should a lady call and be shown into
the empty drawing room. pending the
hostess arrival she should take a con-
venien, seat and await her. II would not
De well for the lady Of the house TO enter
and find you standing. as though COM
plete tour and inspection OF the room had
been your recent occupation. When two
ladies cali together they should be care
fui that the hostess does not come IN and
find them concluding some private con-
versaton. II is extremely awkward when
two visitors. strangers to each other. en-
ter at the same time and have to await
the hostess descent to the room. and
strict etiquette gives US no rule about
what TO do in such case; observation at
the moment is the only way TO decide
whether to sit In a silent state or TO ex-
change a few words OF commonplace. The
hostess. entering, should greet the lady
OF higher position first.
Introductions are very necessary be-
tween visitors who are strangers. but
there is no rule that they should not say
a word or so TO each other during the
course of general conversation with the
hostess. An ordinary call Of the kind
we are now considering should not exceed
twenty-five minutes. unless its extension
is urged by the hostess. A first cere-
morious visit should never be longer than
fifteen minutes, some ladies cut 1t down to
ten.
Nothing is more tiresome than formal
visit, for so little interesting conversation
can be entered into; but there are few
subjects that must not be touched upon
/. G., personal ailments, domestic incon-
venences and the discussion of mutual
friends, save In the briefest and most
kindly manner. Gossip, which at all
times should rightly be barred. must be
especially so during the course of short
first call.
When leaving the house the visitor
should make point of leaving the cor
rect number of cards upon the hall table.
and her lat home" day. II she has one.
must be written or printed upon one CT
hers, so that the hostess may know when
to return her visit. The return to first
call should be paid in weeks time IL the
acquaintanceship Is TO progress favorably.
for long-delayed return visit seems TO
Indicate a distaste for the new acquaint-
ance and gives great offense. IL quite
unavoidably prevented from calling early.
a letter of explanation should be sent
without fail.