The entertainment of guests at country houses demands
much more hospitable feeling and versatility of attainments
than the courtesy of city party-giving, which taxes the host
for only a few hours. To the pleased guest at a country
house, the agreeable visit may easily lengthen into weeks
unless a limit has been set in the invitation ; but what seems
to him an unbroken round of natural pleasures may have
severely taxed the hospitable ingenuity of the entertainer, so
that a visit should never be extended unless the guest has
every assurance that it is desired. All enjoyment under such
circumstances depends upon the prevalence of harmony of
tastes and feeling among the guests ; for, despite the fact
that many out-door amusements and occupations engross
them during the day, every evening re-unites them. If their
selection for a three-hour dinner requires, tact and thought,
how much more is demanded when the arrangement is for
the long and informal association which country life implies !
In inviting guests to a country house, the date and dura-
tion of the visit should be defined ; and, when the invitation
is accepted, the hostess should at once advise the guest of
the most convenient way of reaching her house, giving the
hours for trains if the expected arrival is to be by rail, and
having a carriage at the depot upon the arrival of the train,
unless the party of guests coming at once is very large ; in
that case, etiquette does not require the hostess to send car-
THE ETIQUETTE OF ENTERTAINMENTS. 1 59
riage if there are any public conveyances, although it is a
graceful courtesy to do so. It is not imperative to welcome
the guests at the station, but the hostess should, if possible,
be at home when they reach the house : if they come in
turn, after the departure of others, and if she is absent from
the house pending the entertainment of resident guests, she
should see that all preparations are made for the comfort of
the latest comers, and should order tea to be served in their
rooms at once. It is allowable for guests, to refresh them-
selves and rest before joining the company below stairs, but
only illness is a plea for the absence of either guests or
hostess from the dinner-table. Before the dinner-hour the
hostess should be in the parlors to receive the guests, and
introduce them to each other; and she should designate
companions in specifying the order of entering the dining-
room, unless the party is a family one, when all formality
may be dispensed with. After dinner, the evening's amuse-
ment should be so planned by her as to throw congenial
people- together, and to allot to each one that share of the
general entertainment best suited to his or her capacity
or accomplishments ; for in such assemblies the pleasure of
all often depends upon the talents of individuals. Books,
musical instruments, games, and various devices for social
amusement are plentiful and varied, so that no hostess need
be at a loss for aids to her hospitality. When bedtime ar-
rives, the hostess should give the signal for retiring. In the
morning she should preside at the breakfast-table for about
an hour, after which she may leave the late-comers to the
care of the servants, and devote herself to the pleasure of
the guests who first join her, until personal or household
matters demand her attention.
Page 92
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 entertainment of guests at country houses demands much more hospitable feeling and versatility of attainments than the courtesy of city party-giving, which taxes the host for only a few hours. To the pleased guest at a country house, the agreeable visit may easily lengthen into weeks unless a limit has been set in the invitation ; but what seems to him an unbroken round of natural pleasures may have severely taxed the hospitable ingenuity of the entertainer, so that a visit should never be extended unless the guest has every assurance that it is desired. All enjoyment under such circumstances depends upon the prevalence of harmony of tastes and feeling among the guests ; for, despite the fact that many out-door amusements and occupations engross them during the day, every evening re-unites them. If their selection for a three-hour dinner requires, tact and thought, how much more is demanded when the arrangement is for the long and informal association which country life implies !
In inviting guests to a country house, the date and duration of the visit should be defined ; and, when the invitation is accepted, the hostess should at once advise the guest of the most convenient way of reaching her house, giving the hours for trains if the expected arrival is to be by rail, and having a carriage at the depot upon the arrival of the train, unless the party of guests coming at once is very large ; in that case, etiquette does not require the hostess to send car-
riage if there are any public conveyances, although it is a graceful courtesy to do so. It is not imperative to welcome the guests at the station, but the hostess should, if possible, be at home when they reach the house : if they come in turn, after the departure of others, and if she is absent from the house pending the entertainment of resident guests, she should see that all preparations are made for the comfort of the latest comers, and should order tea to be served in their rooms at once. It is allowable for guests, to refresh themselves and rest before joining the company below stairs, but only illness is a plea for the absence of either guests or hostess from the dinner-table. Before the dinner-hour the hostess should be in the parlors to receive the guests, and introduce them to each other; and she should designate companions in specifying the order of entering the diningroom, unless the party is a family one, when all formality may be dispensed with. After dinner, the evening's amusement should be so planned by her as to throw congenial people- together, and to allot to each one that share of the general entertainment best suited to his or her capacity or accomplishments ; for in such assemblies the pleasure of all often depends upon the talents of individuals. Books, musical instruments, games, and various devices for social amusement are plentiful and varied, so that no hostess need be at a loss for aids to her hospitality. When bedtime arrives, the hostess should give the signal for retiring. In the morning she should preside at the breakfast-table for about an hour, after which she may leave the late-comers to the care of the servants, and devote herself to the pleasure of the guests who first join her, until personal or household matters demand her attention.