Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-08-10
HINTS on ETIQUETTE
a FEW TIMELY SUGGESTIONS ABOUT
oALkING AND RECEIVING.
The Hostess SHOULD See That All OF
Her Lady Visitors Are Seated Before
She Sits - UMBRELLAS, Parcels or
Wraps should be Left I'm the Hall.


We win imagine that the bell has
been rung. and that the servant has
opened the door il proper form. this
being an item TO which the hostess
Should pay proper attention, seeing
that her servant opens the door quiet
~. ithout making fuss. and 10 It's run
esi extent, not as clearinghouse ser
wants or ill-trained ones often do, Just
few inches. peerlng futiyely from
hchinG il as though they feared
tradesman with an unwelcome bill, or
a burglar.
Tie older or married woman natural
/. enters first and last OF all the man
also If women have umbrellas. par
osols or any heavy wraps, they should
leave them in the hall. In old-fashioned
days a call of ceremony did not permit
you tc remove any wraps until your
fcstoss asked you 10 do so: now II is
considered "A breach of etiquette TO
crowd up her drawing room with them.
Men. on the other hand, unless asked
TO do so. when calling on strangers,
would take their lat with them into
he drawing room, leaving. however,
their oyercoats, umbrellas. &c, in the
hail. for fashion decides that man
should not present himself in draw
ing room with his oyercoat
The maid should precede you and ask
YOUR name at the drawing room door.
wGen you should give your surname,
with the proper prefix as guide TO
her MIR. or Mrs. Brown, not as some
people. men more especially, do, mere
~ Brown
Should the room be empty the guests
should sit down, rising Immediately
Iheir hostess enters; but if cards on a
special day have been sent the room
SHOULD on no account be empty. for
noIhing is so objectionable or leaves
such an unpleasant impression as tar
dineSS in hostess. She should al
ways be waiting to receive her guests.
cool. calm and self-possessed with no
Indication that she has been laboring
over an elaborate toilet in their honor.
or is il a state of excitement at hold
irg n reception. as though this were
aa unusual event, for the slightest sign
OF nervousness or furry will brand
her as being unacc1stomed to good so
ciety.
She should cross the room and meet
hei guests as they enter. shaking
hands with each one, even If strangers
brought by friends. 1t is never right
to bow in your own house. unless when
people who are entire strangers to you
cali on philanthropic quests, or TO ask
for Il servants reference, in which case
you bow to them politely as they leave
the room. These little things may APP
pear trivial but they are the unwritten
laws of etiquette. and mark a woman
OF breeding and refinement more surely
than any amount of wealth and splen-
der could ever do
Always say How do You do?' on
shaking hands, never substituting
''Gcod afternoon" or How are you?"
on going away Goodbye" is invaria-
bly, to be said, and never Good after
ncon.' If you are introduced to any
one in the room. do not say Il am
pleased to meet you." but How do
you do?" or bow graciously and say
nothing | have heard people summed
up al once as mot the thing" by these
little slips. whereas little attention to
what others do would save them many
a modification.
The hostess should see that all her
lady visitors have seats before she is
herself seated, butEt is not considered
good form for hey to say. Take
seat" or BE seated" She may, how
ever say, Where will you sit?" or
"Will you sit on the sofa!' but ii is
only to an inferior that any such
phrase as Take a seat is allowable.
When you intend going. avoid sig
Mailing the fact too patiently to the
friends with whom you came. but rise
quietly, when they should all follow
your example. In no case should man
or daughter, or a younger member
of the party rise ftrst. or precede an
older woman out of the room. As you
leave the room. after saying good bye
to your hostess, you should especially
bow TO all you were introduced TO. and
comprehensive to any one else, shak
ing hands only with the people you
know.
If any especial good or i'll fortune oc-
ours to your friends-a birth, a death,
a new appointment, &c. you should
call at once, for this is the mode that
society has of weeping with those that
weep, and rejoicing with those that do
rejoice.