The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-22

NOTE The Arbiter viii be glad to answer any
questions OF a social nature that may be sub
mitted- Such questions should be addressed TO
The Arbiter. care The Washington Herald.
1t has been nearly a quarter of a cen
fury since the good. old custom Of making
New Years calls. which was so assidu-
ously followed for many years-indeed,
Il was brought from Europe by the early
settlers. and was among the earliest So
cial institutions established In this eoun-
try-began to go out Until then the
men of the town of every class and sta
ton would don their evening clothes
shortly after breakfast. and start OF on
their round Of visits, which were hardly
finished before midnight. for there was
no need 20 go home to dinner
The tables Of those who kept open
house literally groaned with good things
The frivolous eatables that are now the
fashion for daylight receptions had not
yet come in, and what was offered was
substantial. rich. and delicious, and that
II was appreciated was attested by the
fact that the banquet board was bare
when the hour for closing the reception
game. The table spread was usually
OF generous size; at one end Of it there
was invariably colossal ham, at the
other end a gigantic turkey. while be-
tween these noble roasts were pates Of
all kinds, steaming croquettes, sconoped
oysters, terrapln. if the purse Of the en-
tertainer permitted, and bowls OF deli
cious. lobster and chicken salad Cake
was there, TOO. of every variety, not the
airy nothings of o-day. but fruit cake,
pound cake, crisp doughnuts, and fiaky
jumbles and ranged on the table were
decanters of sherry Madeira port, and
other things stronger, while at a separate
table was a big bowl in its wreath OF
evergreen containing whatever mixed
drink the house was famous for. egg
nog and punch being the favorite bever-
ages.
The women wore their most becoming
gowns, looked tteir prettiest, and brought
out store of their very best stories
with which 10 entertain their guests.
Sometimes music was furnished and
dancing INDUCED in. and the houses Of
the rich were invariably handsomely dec
Grated for the great festival. 1t must not
be supposed that only the fashionables.
those VINO make up society, gave and at
tended these receptions, the women of ali
circles kept open house. and all the men.
nigh and low. rich and poor. went a
calling some of the latter who never
visited on any other day in the year
would bring out their clothes Of state and
start out on the rounds of New Years
morning. "A belle of the late SOS and
early 10s has an autograph book in
which she h.T all OF 10.
write one New Years Day. and she now
regards this book as one Of her very
choicest possessions. II contains the
names OF James G. Blaine Roscoe
Conkling. James A. Garfield. Gen Sher-
man. Schuyler Colfax. BENJAMIN Butler.
Lot NJ. Morrill,. Hannibal Hamlin. and
those Of many other distinguished men
who are still living and still making his
tory
The abuse of this pleasant. hospitable
old custom was the reason for it's final
adjustment AS the city grew society
became more mixed and the unwritten
law that no gentleman should call at a
house where he was not known was dis
regarded. Hostesses were annoyed 20
have strangers claim their hospitality.
and yet there seemed TO be no remedy
for this violation Of etiquette. The
strange callers. too. had not infrequently
made too many journeys 10 the punch
bowl, and with such it was not always
easy for a lady and her assistants 10
deal. so finally the custom died out. and
nowadays there is no formal receiving in
Washington except at the White House.
the homes Of Cabinet minister's and the
chiefs or the army and navy. The White
House reception Is the most democratic
function We have, and is meant to in
clude every one. from the ambassador.
who is the dean Of the diplomatic corps.
Ia the humblest citizen in town. who can
gain entrance between the hours when
the reception is in progress The recep-
lions at the Cabinet houses are intended
as an occasion when those who are en-
ployed IN the various departments can
greet their chiefs. and general calling at
such receptions is not encouraged. 1t is
needless 10 say that ladies do not make
visits on New Years Day. except at the
White House. where the wives Of the
members of the diplomatic corps aud
other high officials are invited to par
ticipate in the reception.
While there are no formal receptions
there IS much calling at private houses on
New Years Day, and 1t is a graceful ac-
acknowledgement Of social courtesies re-
ceived for man to call on those host
esses who have honored him with their
attention. Indeed. this holiday enables
those who haze no other way Of acknowl-
edging social attention an opportunity of
showing their appreciation of them a
fact that cannot be too strongly borne in
upon American men, who, through lack
of thought rather than lack Of heart, are
too apt to feel that with their accent |
ance Of an invitation their obligation
ceases. Much more is made in France Of
lie jour de Tan than here. Or that holt
day the giving of gifts is more practiced
than at Christmas. but even in America
It Is perfectly good form for men TO send
presents Of flowers and bonbons TO those
ladies to whom they are indebted socially. |
and such attentions are most acceptable I
to the recipients, who now and then be-
come cynical at the lack Of appreciation
the young men show of the attentions |
they receive.
The time-honored custom OF watching
the old year out and the new year in |
is still in vogue. and both at the various |
churches and the drawing-rooms OF Van
ity Fair parties assemble for this cere-
mony. but whether the old year is prayed |
out, sung out. or danced out. the occa-
sion is an agreeable one with Just enough
sentiment to give it quite A different |
flavor from that of an ordinary function. |
The most popular form Of New Years |
party with the bellies and beaux is A |
dance ending with cotillion in which 1
typical figures can he introduced