The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-11

, acquaintance she did not value. IS
well bred woman would quite likely have
ignored the call altogether or waited for
weeks before returning it, but my friend
kept to the letter Of the law and saved any
hurt feelings by returning II almost imme-
diately and dealing out to them piece Of
pasteboard instead Of herself. Needless
to say, 1t is not likely those persons will be
| invited TO entertainments at her house.
THE unwritten rule that a newcomer In
summer community must be called on
by the older residents before she can make
, a social move of any kind is more strenu-
ously enforced than ever, but the trouble
Is that unless the older residents-I am
speaking of course OF the summer residents
only-happen to know who the newcomers
are. or to know some one who does know
something about them, they are chary
about making move.
Thus it happens that every now and
then certain very nice, desirable tenants
are absolutely frozen out of certain COM
munities-like Newport for instance. In
such cases, II the newcomers were content to
wait little, to stick 1t out another season.
things would probably be different. Some
one would be sure to take them up the Sec
ond summer and all the rest would follow
suit.
AS country social etiquette goes now the
newcomer must wait. Adventuresome and
ignorant persons who think to carry thin 60
before them by plunging in and beginning
to entertain only hurt themselves.
from New York who rented handsome
country place In the neighborhood Of her
summer home last year. No one knew
anythin about them From socia stand
point they were quite unknown. but the
community. was inclined TO view them
favorably for the reason that the mother
and two daughters dressed in good taste
and drove behind good horses In we'll APP
pointed traps.
my niece after two weeks inspection
decided she would call. when to her aston
ishment she got an invitation to an evening
musicale to be given soon by the new
corners, and she found that almost every
one Of her acqua intances and friends had
also been invited to the same affair. That
settled It.
one, then sent his or her regrets and failed
to call afterward.
AS a result the newcomers closed their
house long before the end Of the season and
left the place. 1t was signal case OF not
.At places like Bar Harbor southamp-
ton, Newport, Tuxedo and fashionable
colonies which take in two or three country
townships, the invitation afternoon recep-
ton has gone, never to return, fear, for
society says that 1t is apt to bring together
a moro or less prorniscuous company.
For example, at Newport there is only one
elderly woman who 10 brave enough to
| continue to give the informal day at home,
which she began more than twenty years
| ago.
There Is always music at her Thursdays,
to which everybody Is asked-the least
smart as we'll as the smartest OF the summer
| cottagers-and society, for once tolerant
Of the setting aside Of it's new rules, con-
tinues to attend. But know Of no other
case like it.
ut has come to pass that there are no
! general invitations. even to afternoon tea,
for fear OF bringing together people who may
not be congenial, and also because too many
guests NAV arrive one day and not enough
| the next. Besides, no hostess will tie herself
| down to stay in on a particular afternoon,
except by appointment. This Is the 1905
way of doing
"When a hostess wants to get dozen
| or fft cen people together for afternoon
! tea she calls them up by telephone and
puts her request TO them or else she gives
! the invitation at the Casino OF q morning
| at the tennis course, on the beach, the golf
grounds or perhaps ut an entert ainment
OF the evening before being careful to select
the people who 60 together or are likely
| to enjoy one anotheF's company.
unless I am asked, ] almost hesitate
these daM TO drop IN ct . friends house