The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

I be at home. It has been tried here several times but was not go" One young matron some years ago said that she sat at home ready to receive her friendB Tuesday after Tuesday with fire, tea, and all things in readi- ness. but to no purpose as no one called. So with a good conscience she | received her callers on any other day suitable to them--in a cold parlor. I don't know of anything that would ,, make a woman want to go out and visit the bargain counters with more frantic desire than to know 1t Is her day At Home and feel obliged to keep indoors. Then. too, what would Mrs. Jones whose day is Tuesday do about Miss Smiths card party given on that day. and if Mrs. Jones were pleasure of Mrs. Smiths function what about all the friend 'who might prefer the card party to Mrs. Jones day At. Home" This system was q success before the time of numerous matinee social function, but now when busy woman's day in the season Is filled with three or four daylight affairs, what time has she to call on her friends whose particular day 1t is. Twenty years ago when the still young matrons of Montgomery were
 
 was so rare as not to figure at all. One in a season would have completed the list. The world changes even the social world and woman as well as man, changes with 1t. But the day remains twenty-four hours long and sleep stays a necessity so one social fad must push aside another.
 There is much comment on the sub jett of the falling off in the matter of calling, This, too. can be accounted for by the day time society. There is little time left for it now while twenty years ago it only divided homes as the days chief doings with womans home duties; duties which. in this day of the ready made" food well as clothes. grew fewer and fewer, though more and more interesting and artistic.
 There is one beautiful custom, 1t is sad to say, that has died a slow finger ing death that of new years calling. In its pristine state as 1t was forty years ago it was a delightful custom. Then every woman was at home to the gentlemen who enjoyed her friendship, or acquaintance. and if any illness, mourning or other reason prevented her receiving callers. a basket was placed outside tho door to receive the cards, and above 1t card announced Not receiving" In that time every man went calling all day long. Men as clements of society had not gone out of fashion then. and they figured large ly This lovely custom changed to few open houses and lots of women gathered there to receive. Next still another change narrowed it to two or three crush receptions in as many hours. As the open houses diminished the general pleasure of the day dimin ished and at last the death struggle came. and a sweet old time custom was dead.
 It is all the fault of the men. who so dislike social life and whose whole existence is eat. sleep and work.
 remember many years ago benig in Montreal on new years day In a beautiful home three ladies with one guest from New York were at home Three gorgeous connecting parlors were thrown open. Tn the third from a table not so elaborate in decoration as those of today. but edually so in sil- yer and china, wine and refreshments were served. All day long and way into the night sleighs were driven to the door and men galore, married and single. paid their respects. Such a day would do a man good. Of course