The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-03-25

They are certainly more free and easy
than in the mid-Victorian period
when stiffness and decorum were q
necessary attribute of the well
brought up youth and maiden. while
their parents observed a strict ETH
quette that made society of that day
formal and wesTying 10 q degree IN
dreamed OF in these days.
The hostess Of to-day likes her
guests 10 behave as If they were at
home. says the London Daily Mail.
She provides for their pleasure. and
they are left TO enjoy themselves in
their own way.
Dinner IS one OF the few events
that brings forth an answer from an
invited guest, and in the arrange
ment Of the table care is taken 10
place the guests who are likely TO
be conse1ial 10 each other near to-
gether.
Unless the occasion is 9 formal
one, man does not offer his arm TO
the lady ne takes into dinner: the
hostess Will sometimes lead the way
with the women. leaving the men 10
follow buJ of course this informal
progress Is only for 4 dinner of inti-
mates. and i the occasion is N honor
Of some distinguished guest who has
not before dined ~ The house the
host or hostess. as the case may be.
pairs OF with that individual.
For big affairs . six weeks invita-
ton is Still not uncommon. and some
times the hosts name appears with
his wife's on theeard Of invitation for
dinner, generally a printed one. and
old fashioned people still request
the honor OF So-and-so's COMPANY"
The usual hour for such dinners Is
SIS or 2. and even that Is too early
for some fashionable folk. who think
nothing Of being half an hour behind
time. The meal is . brief one. the
lengthy dinner With four dishes TO
every course is unheard OF except al
2 city banquet. and the roti is gener-
ally game. joints being largely neg
lsc5ed.
There is such z craze for special
diets and patent foods that it is moth
ing unusual for q guest TO pass over
all bur one particular course. or even
70 nibble solely at some hard sub
stance in biscuit form which he or
she causes 10 be provided for his be-
hoof
HostesSes often give q standing in
vilation for luncheon 10 their friends.
Who come when they like and sit as
they please; the meal IS ratified
through q lightning speed 70 the &C.
compartment Of 2 perfect babel of
conversation: every one talks At
once. remarks being by 10 means
confined 10 near neighbors. and
every language under the sun is
heard al fashionable house.
Coffee is served Al table. cigarettes
make their appearance at any stage
OF The rep2st and by 3 o'clock the
hostess is left 70 fulfil her afternoon
engagements
\ trial that besets the hostess OF
to-day is the difficulty OF calculating
the numbers 10 De provided for. as
few invitations are answered. If the
name OF Caruso. Melba. or 2 noted
dancer should appear on the invita-
ton card all those invited put in an
appearance. and the hostess IS be-
siegsd with applications from those
she has left ont and from people she
has never even heard of. but if there
Is nothing sensational in her program
numbers drop out
Having secured her date By an an
1ouncanent in the recognized society
Journal hostess takes her time il
sending out cards. as often IS not
simply visiting card. with music
or dancing written in the corner.
Or she may prefer to bide her time
for 2 free date. and IL the whole
thing up By telephone
The list OF dancing men in the il
ner SET is so restricted that there are
not enough 70 60 round on 4 big
night \ new dance hostess falls
back as rule on some one with
large acquaintance 20 bring 2 posse
OF dancing men. and some awkward
incidents have resulted from the fact
that the hostess and many of her
guests are unknown 10 each other.
To obviate this the we'll known pres
ideat Of the Bachelors Club gave af-
te.nool parties 10 meet the dance
hostess last season and many host
eszes secured partners for their girls
ar these gatherings. following up
verbal invitation with a printed one.
Self-respecting young men decline
70 90 10 any house without 4 personal
invitation from & hostess. even
though guest at the dinner party
given for dance b. one or other of
the dance hostess's friends.
When 10 leave cards IS a much dis
eussed point. These should always
be deposited after any sort OF invita-
ton, but need not be left in person.
On arrival in town the library where
the cards are printed is often deputed
10 see 10 their being distributed. or a
footnsn makes a round on a bicycle.
Il IS becoming usual now for men
when calling 10 leave their hat and
stick in the hall. except when for
eigrers. but IL the call is 10 be a very
brief one it Is permissible to take a
hat into the room. Mayfair and Bel
gravia does not affect days but
perhaps for a week or two friends
are verbally invited to come in any