The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-31
for d5Moanen

In O few weeks We shall lave a return
Of the season in which outdoor entertain
ments Of all sorts supersede those of the
parlet. bail or dining-room. In summer
we are naturally inclined to take our
pleasure rustieally. The lawn and garden
around tho house which in winter is apt
to be regarded as SO much open space
through which the wind will blow, in sum
mer is fun need of praise and patronage,
and takes its place las chief ground for
entertainment of all kinds. Whether the
house garden be large or small it is the
fa.uily's living place in warm weather.
There are not man. gardens too small
to be available as pleasure grounds for
family and friends, says the Philadelphia
.'Times.v
Remember the ingenious back garden
parties so popular with stay-at-homes
during the latter part of last summer.
Upon suc occasions a 39x16 foot garden,
which was happy in the possession OF an
artistic hedge of ~hollyhocks growing ten
feet high. would by the aid of eolored
lights and other devices be converted into
quite a fairy scene at night. The larger
the garden the greater the possibilities for
any sort of party to be given in it. The
medium-sized garden seems to be the one
least called upon for affairs of this kind
Like most everything else that is medium
it seems to have been set down as prosaie.
and. therefore. not suitable as material
for entertainment. The owner of the tiny
patch of green will have a party on it any
way. in spite of its size. The one whose
premises assume the proportions of a
park will do the same on account Of the
suitable size of the grounds.
Nothing in the way of an entertainment
is more gratifying to host and hostess or
guest than the garden party which goes
off smoothly from the beginning to the
end. So many and various are the essen
tails that go to make the tout ensemble of
a lawn party that both good luck and
good management make part of its sue
cess.
The style of Invitation preferred for a
lawn party is that which is engraved on a
sheet and when folded fits into an envel-
ope three and a half inches by five. A
carriage or bus should meet the guests
at the end of the car line or at the sta
ton as the case may be, if the place of
entertainment is distant from the city.
People do not generally enjoy walking
along country or suburban roads in gar
den party attire.
Probably the most effective time for the
party is the evening, when music and
many-eolored lights lend e~nchantnlent TO
everything around. However, the time set
for the commencement of festivities is
usually 2 little in advance OF the night.
Large grounds afford pleasure in them
selves for strolling parties. and the sum
smer house and shady nook among the
trees give ample opportunity for firta-
ton and tete-a-tetes. The host and host
ess receive in the parior mot on the lawn
where they remain until ii is reasonable
10 suppose that all the guests have arriv-
ed. To be in touch with the occasion the
house itself should be almost converted
into a garden. Masses of flowers, flower
ing branches, potted plants and bouquets,
large and small, can be arranged to effect
the most magical change in familiar sur
r~oun9lngs.
Just at shutdown let supper be served on
tho lawn. This can be done from one
large table which is set under a tent or at
small tables scattered over the lawn. If
many table decorations are desired, such
az candeIabra. flowers ices cut in large
forms, etc., the first way. having a large
table. is about the only way it can be
done. In this case most of the guests are
expected TO stand during the refresh
merits. This is so much like the plan of
winter entertainments that it does not
commend itself so highly as having the
small tables. The. menu of salads, cro-
ouettes and ices can be served as well,
probably better, at the small tables and
they are ever so much more cosy and
comfortable.
At evening when the stars come out let
the music be changed from sprightIy airs
to the dreamy waltz. The younger guests
may suit the action to the music if there
is a part of the lawn clipped close enough
for dancing. Unless the moon can be
counted on to come out bright there had
better be a threading of japanese Ian
terms among the trees and bushes.
Lamps with curiously devised globes
made to resemble stars. crescents and
various grotesques can be placed on the
grass. The effect Of these is very odd
and pretty.
1t is supposed that for the coming sea-
son decorations for lawn parties as web
as for other occasions viii be made large
ly Of the National colors, which will be
seea in china, silks and paper as well as
in the stars and stripes of bunting.
The mar whose wife buys his neckties
revenges himself by supervising her sum-
Nor hat. Here is what a milliner says
of him
Hardly a day passes she said. fthat
one of my customers does not come back
to me with a perfectly lovely hat that
she has carefully picked out and had
made herself, after long deIiberation. to
have me alter It. because her husband
doesn't like it. | could just shake the
women who do this, so I could. The idea