The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-12

generous host tires of the game. site a.
his list Of acquaintance and wonders what
no ever saw in the cultivation OF social
joys. ,h. o.. y, .0,sr+.,rir, 10 GRADUALLY
being crushed out Of existence among
people with limited incomes. They rap
idly discover that the entertainment-hungry
ones are never given to entertaining them
selves and so they adopt the unpleasant
plan OF doing as much or as little as they
have 10 do TO keep up their end AT once
genuine hospitality II killed.
DESPITE the conditions which exist in
New York there is no reason why families.
especially families in which there are chill
dren, should he bereft of the healthful
pleasure of Offering entertainment, how
ever slight, to friends. In fact. the habit
should be cultivated and in every home
there should he some thought as to the
ways and means by which entertainment
may be offered during a season, or in some
cases during the summer time. when IT Is
more convenient for people to entertain
out of town.
As to the small cost at which such func-
tons may be successfully carried out one
need only cite the studio teas that have
been 10 successful in town for several
seasons These are most enjoyable, 80
much so that they are never sparsely at
tended. and this though the refreshments
offered are the simplest. the guests them
selves usually furnishing the entertain
ment song and music.
-Of course all sets Of society are not pro-
vded with such clever people as guests
ar this special group, who are rarely rich
in money. but always in the arts that go
TO make an occasion Of the sort pleasure
sbie. The fact that they are so successful
on a small expenditure proves that the
question OF money should be no bar in the
matter Of hospitality. rightly offered.
ITO entertain on $500 year would
require some tact and management,
Elaborate ideas could not he carried out.
but the mistress Of the home could at least
plan from two to four teas to be given dur
ing winter.
ETeas are the most reasonable form OF
entertainment. In one afternoon great
many people may be entertained, and the
Refreshments offered may be the simplest
sandwiches, cakes, tea and cocoa-cer-
tainly no great item in even the most
moderate income.
@One man who pref ends to have solved the
problem of entertaining on $500 a year
by dining his friends at his club, cannot be
credited with any greater success than
that Of getting around the difficulty.
while his home and his family remain
in nearby city, they must necessarily
form friendships which in their way are as
important as his own. They must enter
tain in some simple form and doubtless
the money expended IN New York club
would suffice for considerable quiet enter,
tanning at home when both women and
men friends Of the family could be greeted.
-Of course a man must have his business
friends. but the idea Of Kidding himself Of
his social obligations by entertaining at
club il hardly good one. In the first place.
the task OF living on a small income ia not
the easiest thing in the world, and IL he
deducts "A certain sum from the income
for the club entertaining, does he not de-
prve his family Of some entertainment
which should he theirs in his efforts to
keep up with his New York set?
.One's home is the only place for enter
tanning, and the idea used 20 be that man
saw another man at his club until he was
quite sure he could introduce him at his
home. The better way in which to take
up the matter of entertaining on small
income il TO decide what can he done and
at what tines and then TO proceed to carry
out those plans
"A few teas. a small informal dinner or a
supper after the theatre all these are charm
ing ways In which TO dispense hospitality.
But the habit Of entertaining at clubs or
restaurants is really makeshift.
.Of course. a woman must know how 10
manage in order TO give, even small dinner
with success, but she should learn this art
early In her welded life woman who
cannot be q good hostess II certainly poor
helpmatc for a man who wishes TO keep In
touch with his business friends and ac-
quaintances.
sipnificrn Mt and far more hsuering TO a
guest than any emount OF outside entsr-
ts iring. For that rason women should
study how they can give dinn,r at which
howcv,r simple the menu the spirit OF home
me BE- in evidence.
1T is surprising TO know how delighted
glr 81 who five all the year around in hotels
and boa riding hous are 20 attend dinner
at home. II need not be anything but the
simpl. st end yet the y will be always in rap
turs over the idea Of sing entertained
at home. -
room or ev, hing We, X to the rrcs ption OF
friends. The mistake that most people
ma Ike in taking up this subject OF enter
tanning Is that they make a task Of IL. II
must always he easy and spontaneous
to be successful.
sNcver attempt to cope with others In
your dinner or luncheon giving. Display
In all cases II vulgar and in a small stab
lishment n pr tentious ettcmpt must al
WAYS be absurd. A simple dinner Is really
wry elegant In thcte days OF excessive
display.
But the art Of hospta lity Is one difficult
to acuiire II ono is not born to IL. There
ere many vol meaning women az whose
hom iphosIitality comes up and greets
a visitor OF the very thr shold.
A badly trained maid will stare. ask
que stions end leave a celkr standing IN
the hall while she labors upstairs TO PR sent
a card Then after a long drawn out pause
o hostess will come down hastily gowned