Even children are invited in the name of the youngster whose birth
day is to be celebrated. It is in much better taste to have the mother's
name appear as the hostess.
A comical mixing of first and third persons is frequently made in
notes and invitations. Not long since a celebrated American singer
had occasion to return thanks for some compliment. Her note read :
" Madam Elvira Montana begs to return thanks for the beautful offer-
ing of flowers and for the great kindness shown her by Mr. Williams and
his friends. I can never forget your goodness, but will always remain
yours gratefully,
"Elvira Montana."
Having adopted the third person in the first sentence, she should
have retained the form by concluding : She can never forget your
kindness.
In engraved invitations the persons are often awkwardly mixed, as
Mr. and Mrs. White request the pleasure of your company, instead of
Mr. and Mrs. White request the pleasure of (names written in the
blank space) Gen. and Mrs. Calder's company at the marriage of their
daughter, Winifred, to George Angus Cox.
HAND-SHAKING.
When introduced it is not customary to shake hands, but on other
occasions hand-shaking is customary. How strange that it should so
seldom be done in an agreeable manner? The "pump-handle fashion,"
to be sure, is not often inflicted, but the poor, limp, forlorn fashion is
common and the tiresome holding the hand till you begin to think of
the sad words of the song, " It may be for years and it may be forever,"
has not become entirely obsolete. One thing only is as bad, that is,
where the torture is physical, where a cast-iron grasp presses your
rings into your flesh. A pleasant, hearty shake of the hand is a charm-
ing greeting, and children should be taught to shake hands well, and
girls to take a gentleman's arm in an agreeable fashion. The lady's
hand should rest firmly on the gentleman's forearm, so that if any sup-
port become necessary it may be easily given.
654 THE ART OF ENTERTAINING.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE VOICE.
In one particular which closely concerns the pleasure of all social
meeting, Americans have improved marvellously in the last twenty-five
years — I refer to the national voice. There is still room for improvement.
A ladies' tea party reveals the fact that the shrill, nasal tones so general
twenty-five years ago are still at command when the temptation is
great, but the murmur of pleasant tones at many small companies of
men and women strikes one with great pleasure. Like all the arts of
social intercourse, a gently modulated voice can be acquired. The
most delightful voice I have ever heard belonged to an American
woman. Her father had devoted himself to the cultivation of the
speaking voice in his daughters, and his reward was a rich one. Begin
early with the children and teach them to give full, pleasant sound to
their words. Nothing enhances more the charm of agreeable conver-
sation. Both are worth years of patient study, and after years you
will still find much to learn, but it is wonderful what study, attention
and the constant desire for improvement will do.
CULTIVATE FRANKNESS.
Page 535
Presented as published in 1886. 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
Even children are invited in the name of the youngster whose birth day is to be celebrated. It is in much better taste to have the mother's name appear as the hostess.
A comical mixing of first and third persons is frequently made in notes and invitations. Not long since a celebrated American singer had occasion to return thanks for some compliment. Her note read :
" Madam Elvira Montana begs to return thanks for the beautiful offering of flowers and for the great kindness shown her by Mr. Williams and his friends. I can never forget your goodness, but will always remain yours gratefully,
"Elvira Montana."
Having adopted the third person in the first sentence, she should have retained the form by concluding : She can never forget your kindness.
In engraved invitations the persons are often awkwardly mixed, as Mr. and Mrs. White request the pleasure of your company, instead of Mr. and Mrs. White request the pleasure of (names written in the blank space) Gen. and Mrs. Calder's company at the marriage of their daughter, Winifred, to George Angus Cox.
HAND-SHAKING.
When introduced it is not customary to shake hands, but on other occasions hand-shaking is customary. How strange that it should so seldom be done in an agreeable manner? The "pump-handle fashion," to be sure, is not often inflicted, but the poor, limp, forlorn fashion is common and the tiresome holding the hand till you begin to think of the sad words of the song, " It may be for years and it may be forever," has not become entirely obsolete. One thing only is as bad, that is, where the torture is physical, where a cast-iron grasp presses your rings into your flesh. A pleasant, hearty shake of the hand is a charming greeting, and children should be taught to shake hands well, and girls to take a gentleman's arm in an agreeable fashion. The lady's hand should rest firmly on the gentleman's forearm, so that if any support become necessary it may be easily given.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE VOICE.
In one particular which closely concerns the pleasure of all social meeting, Americans have improved marvellously in the last twenty-five years — I refer to the national voice. There is still room for improvement. A ladies' tea party reveals the fact that the shrill, nasal tones so general twenty-five years ago are still at command when the temptation is great, but the murmur of pleasant tones at many small companies of men and women strikes one with great pleasure. Like all the arts of social intercourse, a gently modulated voice can be acquired. The most delightful voice I have ever heard belonged to an American woman. Her father had devoted himself to the cultivation of the speaking voice in his daughters, and his reward was a rich one. Begin early with the children and teach them to give full, pleasant sound to their words. Nothing enhances more the charm of agreeable conversation. Both are worth years of patient study, and after years you will still find much to learn, but it is wonderful what study, attention and the constant desire for improvement will do.
CULTIVATE FRANKNESS.