Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-02-10
A VALENTINE PARTY.
BY HELEN BUTLER STRAIT.

An enjoyable valentine entertain
ment may be arranged by introducing
subjects of conversation on the topic
plan, the attractive sjlhoutte being the
gether.
In topic party an equal number
of guests of each sex should be invited
If possible. If not, either the gentle
men may choose two partners If there
be an excess of ladies, or a portion
of the ladies may rose as gentlemen,
or vice versa.
The programme containing the top
les to be discussed should be neatly
written on cards, or engraved If de-
sired, and enclosed with the invita-
tons issued.
Conversation partners being ex-
changed with each subject discussed
five minutes Is sufficient to allow
each topic as several minutes will
lapse in changing partners. The hos
tess. II the party Is small and infor-
NAL, or an assistant II the affair 10
more formal, should distribute the sill
houettes to the gentlemen present, each
one Of whom will Immediately choose
the partner indicated by the shadow
picture which he holds, and converse
with her on the topic in order until
time is called by the hostess, by tap
ping q bell.
The picture should be inclosed in
envelopes or folded, and after the gen.
ueman Is assured that his guess is cor
rect, he surrenders the silhouette to
the hostess who again places 1t in an
envelope for redistribution.
The topics may be suited to the oc-
casion as
Origin Of the day we celebrate.
Musical affinity or affinity of the
professions.
Propinquity.
Cupids havoc among our friends
Telepathy.
The bachelor man.
The bachelor maid.
"reminiscences of the day.
II desired live topics of the day may
be substituted. All topics on the val
entine list should be discussed strictly
impersonally. Indeed conversation at
all parties or receptions should be i'm
personal, this being one of the highest
tests Of true culture and refinement.
Silhouettes should be made of all
lady guests prior to the evening In
question, 1t being preferable to keep
the gentlemen in ignorance Of this part
Of the entertainment
These silhouettes may be secured
easily by placing the subject opposite
the light. neither higher nor lower, as
near the wall as is convenient and far
enough from the light to produce a
sharp outline.
Heavy light brown wrapping paper
will do nicely for the drawing paper,
which should be firmly held or tackled
against the wall, while a careful pen
ell outline Is drawn of the subject Use
care In drawing the bair, following the
pompadour or curly head with pencil
point faithfully, as there Is much char
acter in a stray lock. This drawing
should include head and shoulders, and
may be cut to the line with a pair of
sharp scissors.
II desired to make the entertain
ment truly artistic and effective the
silhouette may be reduced to cabinet
size by means Of a pantograph, an in
expensive little mechanical device that
anyone can manipulate. Or II the hos
tess or friend possesses q camera
the silhouette may be pinned to dark
background and photographed. II re-
duced by the aid Of the pantoRraph.
the effect Is enhanced either by cutting
the silhouette from white paper and
mounting on dark card, or from dark
paper and mounting on a light card.
Favors or prizes may be given II de-
sired to the ones most apt in identi-
flying the partners. A pretty favor
may be made by photographing the
silhouettes in a group.
Topic parties with or without the
silhouette are always desirable, as
wall-fiowers are then an impossibility,
and the plain girl often converses as
well as the pretty one
Should 1t be desired to dispense with
the silhouette. few more topics may
be added and the change of partners
be simply progressive at a tap Of the
bell
The game should not last longer
than one hour after which the guests
may indulge In few minutes general
conversation before saying their
Pleasant evening" to the hostess
Washington Home Magazine