The Washington herald., 1912-04-09
THE CORRECT RULES FOR
POST-EASTER DANCES

standing at the mothers left. a little
behind her. A debutante or the bride for
whom the dance Is given. stands direct
ly at the hostess left side. and these la
dies are always presented TO arrivals be-
fore other guests. II they know all the
persons who appear they do the honors
Of receiving simultaneously with the
hostess.
When the dancing begins the young
hostesses fulhll their promised obliga-
tons. and then return between dances 10
the side Of the mother or lady Of the
house for the reception OF late guests.
IL the chief hostess is herself fond II
dancing. she must defer the pleasure un-
I'll late in the evening, for It would be
very unseemly for her to leave her post
before everybody has arrived.
A host may receive or not with his wife
as he chooses, but he is always some
where very near. and must never post
pone his bow or handshake until II Is so
belated as to appear rude.
With large balls the stylish caper Is to
arrive late. but II the hostess wants TO
avoid the nuisance Of waiting half the
night for her guests she can make the
dancing hour as early $50 This Is an
nounced on the cards OF invitation. the
words Dancing" or "Cotillion'' being
put in the left hand corner with the hour
for beginning. Eleven o'clock, however.
is the fashionable hour for dancing. and
many persons come as late as Il. though
II is sort OF unwritten rule for nobody
TO depart before all the guests are assem-
bled.
Concerning the Orchestra.
II there is a string orchestra it is
stationed behind a screen of plants, and
the programme for the musicians is all
selected and arranged for beforehand.
The music begins with the arrival OF the
first guest, and 1t must not be stopped
until after the departure OF the last one.
unless this person prolongs his or her
stay so far into the dawn that the milk
man may be expected. An ordinary dance
given by persons of medium means would
begin at o'clock and end at 1890, or !.
II the young folks are having a very good
time.
As a post Easter cotillion the fayors
are often Of natural flowers made up
in bouquets with wide ribbon stream
ers. or else in the form of wreaths
which men and women alike wear on
their heads and around their shoul-
ders. The men wear full evening dress,
with which pique waistcoats. white lawn
ties and white gloves at all dances OF
a smart sort. while women are in low
gowns in thin materials and in pale
OF 80 n ntkh just
as much out OF place at a cotilllon or
dance Of any pretehtion as would be a
Tuxedo coat, which garment. by the
way. being something OF neglige- Is
only permissible for semi-dress in a
mans home.
The invitation is never issued before
Easter. although IL may come immedi-
ately after II. the dance or ball following
In two weeks
a very pretty function for a modest
home is a dinner dance. Al many
accommodated at the table. and others
are asked to Join the party later for
informal dancing. The evening clothes
of the table guests give a dash to the
board and those who come later are
cheered with simple buffet supper at
II O'Clock.
Theater dances are given in the same
way. a certain number Of persons maxi
ing up a bo=- party and others being
accommodate the playgoers. is set at
a late hour.
Refresh ments to Serve.
The dances following a dinner or
theater party are sometimes very grand
affairs, and IL the function is given for
a bride or debutante from ten to forty
persons will make up the party invited
for the first part Of the evening. The
number asked TO the house may be as
large as the rooms will accommodate.
At all dances some species OF represh-
ments Is served. the spread being grand
or simple according to the pretention
OF the function, though either may be
served in buffet manner. Several sorts
of sandwiches. ices, fancy cakes and
punch are the usual good things expect
ed. but II there is a big bowl OF lemon
ade kept well filled and a good supply
of thin bread and butter tartines, such
simple things, with the addition of
varied nuts and apples, are enough for
a young peoples function.
Concerning the flower decorations for
rooms and tables OF postmaster af-
fairs, both caterers and families who