The popular English entertainments called Cinderella-
parties are simply evening dances beginning at an early hour,
say nine o'clock, and ending at midnight. The dress, re-
freshments, and etiquette are the same as for ordinary even-
ing parties. The invitations are " at home " cards, with the
hour and date written in, and " Cinderella Dancing " written
or printed in one corner, at the choice of the hostess : the
invitations are sent out at a length of time in advance
corresponding to the importance of the entertainment.
THE ETIQUETTE OF ENTERTAINMENTS. 155
CARD PARTIES.
These parties are good amusements for evenings in au-
tumn and winter. They are usually composed of intimates :
the entire service is informal, and very little of the burden
of entertainment falls upon the hosts. And only the lightest
of refreshments are necessary : they should be of such nature
as to permit partaking of them without interfering with the
games ; either sherry and biscuit, claret-cup, or tea and cof-
fee, with little cakes, or ale, crackers and cheese, are suita-
ble and sufficient ; they may be served from a side-table, or
placed upon little tables near the guests as at afternoon teas.
Claret-cup is made either in' a fancy flagon or pitcher of
glass, or in a large silver " loving-cup " holding over a quart,
made in the form of a high vase, richly engraved and decor-
ated ; when the beverage is drank as a " loving-cup,'' a large,
fine white napkin is placed in one of the handles, for the
purpose of wiping the edge of the cup after each guest
drinks from it. When cards are objectionable, dominoes,
checkers, or chess may replace them ; the purpose of all
such games being social amusement.
CALLING DURING ENTERTAINMENTS.
When a chance caller arrives at a house while any enter-
tainment is going on, to which guests have been invited, it
is perfectly permissible for the hostess to be " not at home ; "
this excuse, given by the servant at the door, should never
be made a subject of social comment or offence, because the
hostess has a right to decide what friends she shall select to
partake of any form of pleasure, or for the discharge of her
social obligations.
NEW YEAR'S RECEPTIONS.
The once favorite receptions are gradually falling out of
use, but a few hints may be given for those who wish to
156 PRACTICAL AMERICAN COOKERY.
pursue the old custom. It is quite proper to offer only hot
coffee and a sandwich; or one wine and a plain cake or
biscuit ; a bowl of punch, a tureen of hot bouillon, and a
salad and some cold game or a galantine ; or hot oysters or
terrapin and Madeira : any of these are suitable ; but the
service sTiould be simple in the extreme, one maid attending
at the table or sideboard. At the door a maid or a man
may attend. The caller upon entering sends in his card,
unless he is a rather intimate friend, in which case he enters
the drawing-room at once, and leaves his card when he de-
parts, upon the card-receiver in the hall. When ladies do
not wish to receive, a small basket, placed outside the door
for callers to drop their cards into, is sometimes used, although
this practice is falling into disusage ; many society people
now pass the holidays at country houses.
WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND BREAKFASTS.
Page 90
Presented as published in 1885. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The popular English entertainments called Cinderella parties are simply evening dances beginning at an early hour, say nine o'clock, and ending at midnight. The dress, refreshments, and etiquette are the same as for ordinary evening parties. The invitations are " at home " cards, with the hour and date written in, and " Cinderella Dancing " written or printed in one corner, at the choice of the hostess : the invitations are sent out at a length of time in advance corresponding to the importance of the entertainment.
CARD PARTIES.
These parties are good amusements for evenings in autumn and winter. They are usually composed of intimates : the entire service is informal, and very little of the burden of entertainment falls upon the hosts. And only the lightest of refreshments are necessary : they should be of such nature as to permit partaking of them without interfering with the games ; either sherry and biscuit, claret-cup, or tea and coffee, with little cakes, or ale, crackers and cheese, are suitable and sufficient ; they may be served from a side-table, or placed upon little tables near the guests as at afternoon teas. Claret-cup is made either in' a fancy flagon or pitcher of glass, or in a large silver " loving-cup " holding over a quart, made in the form of a high vase, richly engraved and decorated ; when the beverage is drunk as a "loving-cup,"'' a large, fine white napkin is placed in one of the handles, for the purpose of wiping the edge of the cup after each guest drinks from it. When cards are objectionable, dominoes, checkers, or chess may replace them ; the purpose of all such games being social amusement.
CALLING DURING ENTERTAINMENTS.
When a chance caller arrives at a house while any entertainment is going on, to which guests have been invited, it is perfectly permissible for the hostess to be " not at home ; " this excuse, given by the servant at the door, should never be made a subject of social comment or offence, because the hostess has a right to decide what friends she shall select to partake of any form of pleasure, or for the discharge of her social obligations.
NEW YEAR'S RECEPTIONS.
The once favorite receptions are gradually falling out of use, but a few hints may be given for those who wish to
pursue the old custom. It is quite proper to offer only hot coffee and a sandwich; or one wine and a plain cake or biscuit ; a bowl of punch, a tureen of hot bouillon, and a salad and some cold game or a galantine ; or hot oysters or terrapin and Madeira : any of these are suitable ; but the service sTiould be simple in the extreme, one maid attending at the table or sideboard. At the door a maid or a man may attend. The caller upon entering sends in his card, unless he is a rather intimate friend, in which case he enters the drawing-room at once, and leaves his card when he departs, upon the card-receiver in the hall. When ladies do not wish to receive, a small basket, placed outside the door for callers to drop their cards into, is sometimes used, although this practice is falling into disusage ; many society people now pass the holidays at country houses.
WEDDING RECEPTIONS AND BREAKFASTS.