Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-06

and, In many cases. the failure to receive a
second invitation
Undoubtedly the most difficult note n
write is the letter of coincidence to express
sympathy for some misfortune or loss
which has come TO a friend or acquaintance
Prone as Is human nature to forget peo-
pie in their sorrow, these slight exgres-
sions Of friendship at such a time are
doubly appreciated and help to wipe out
many debts of kindness
To bring real comfort to the person or
persons TO whom they are addressed. these
notes should be free from all effusiveuesS
ana carry but the slightest reference to
the friends immediate trouble or sorrow
Lastly, write notes when your impulse
prompts you TO do so. Persons are few
and far between who do not like to find
personal letter in the days mail Com
Ing unexpectedly, IL is even more welcome
and the pleasure il brings repays them
for any pleasure they may have given
you.
Where Cards Count.
Unmportant it may seem to dwell so
long on cards and notes. as interest on So
cial debts their value is inestimabIe and
quite on par with that commonly ac-
cepted courtesy for returning hospitality,
the call. Formal or Informal. the social
call becomes more valuable each year as
business and life In general become more
strenuous. An annual visit to all friends
mas pecome not only n duty, but ne
cessity, for the work-a- day world and the
social world are very closely interviewer
The person who makes a success in these
Gays must give as much thought to So
cfabtiity as to trades or professions To
this end a friendly call on old and new
aeauaintances at least once a year helps
wonderfully in a business way, aside from
the goodwill credit established by a rcgu-
lar rendering of interest
Duty calls include short visit to a host
or hostess within ten days of acceptance,
or refusal of an Invita- ton. Dinners lunch
es, weddings, formal receptions evening
parties, dances. all demand this formal
call, which should not last over fteen or
twenty minutes. Such a call is made by
a woman between the hours of and !,
O'Clock in the afternoon. and by a man
not earlier than ana not later than $3.50
o CLOCK in the evening. Married men pay
cal OF this sort accompanied by their
wives, after the dinner hour or Al an after
noon call, the wife leaving her husbands
card V 18th her own. Bachelors should
always call in person after accepting any
form OF hospitality.
The Usual Way.
Giving an afternoon tea once a year is
a favorite means for persons of moderate
income to pay off all social debts. This
necessttates sending calling cards to each
and every friend with the date of the
tea and the hours 80 or Al inscribed
In writing in the lower Ieft-hand cor
ner. Simple refreshments such as hot
chocolate or carefully brewed tea and vari-
GUS KINGS OF sweet cookies and cakes
are served on this day. The hostess on
this occasion Invites several friends to as
sist her in entertaining the guests should
her list of friends be large always pick
ing out young women who are attractive
and can keep the ball of conversation roll
ing. For no matter how unpretentious
these afternoon teas may be, a hostess
Will have amply repaid her obligations If
each one of her guests is treated with
consideration and made to feel that he
or she IS essential to the success of the
function.
Some families pay their social debts by
entertaining their friends a different times
through the year at dinner in their home
This is an intimate form of hospitality
that Is a compliment to any guest. no
matter how proud or humble the position
In life.
More elaborate and expensive forms of
entertainment open out in wide rage for
the person who has the time and means
to give them. Whatever the function. how
ever, it should be in keeping with the
income of the one who gives it. Paying
social debts in any other way is unfair.
both to ones self and to the person being
entertained. The point is that each indi-
yidual should realize his or her social OBJ
legations and meet them regularly in a
friendly and thoughtful spirit