Let the children be strictly forbidden to run into the apart-
ments of visitors; interdict them from going thither unless sent
with a message, and then let them be made to understand that
they are always to knock at the door, and not go in until de-
sired to do so. Also that they are not to play and make a
noise in the neighborhood of her room. And when she comes
into the parlor, that they are not to jump on her lap, put their
hands into her pockets, or rummage her work-basket, or rumple
and soil her dress by clinging to it with their hands. Neither
should they be permitted to amuse themselves by rattling on
the lower keys when she is playing on the piano, or interrupt
her by teasing her all the time to play *'for them to dance."
To permit children to ask visitors for pennies or sixpences is
mean and contemptible. And if money is given them by a
guest, they should be made to return it immediately.
Inquire on the first evening if your visitor is accustomed to
taking any refreshment before she retires for the night. If she
is, have something sent up to her room every night, unless your
own family are in the same habit. These little repasts are very
pleasant, especially at the close of a long winter evening, and
after coming home from a place of public amusement.
To ^'welcome the coming — speed the parting guest" — is a
good maxim. So, when your visitor is about to Jeave you,
make all smooth and ready for her departure. Let her be
called up at an early hour, if she is to set out in the morning.
Send a servant up to strap and bring down her trunks, as soon
as she has announced that 'they are ready; and see that an
early breakfast is prepared for her, and some of the family up
and dressed to share it with her. Have a cab or carriage at
the door in due time, and let some male member of the family
accompany her to the starting place, and see her off, attending
to her baggage and procuring tickets.
Visitors. — ^When you have invited a friend to take tea with
you endeavor to render her visit as agreeable as you can; and
try by all means to make her comfortable.
The servant who attends the door should be instructed to
show the guest upstairs as soon as she arrives, conducting her
to an unoccupied apartment, where she may take off her bon-
net and arrange her hair, or any part of her dress that may re-
ETIQUETTE. 27
quire change and improvement. The lady should then be left
to herself. Nothing is polite that can possibly incommode or
embarrass — therefore it is a mistaken civility for the hostess, or
some female member of the family, to follow the visitor up-
stairs, and remain with her all the time she is preparing for her
appearance in the parlor. Over officiousness is not politeness,
and nothing troublesome and inconvenieiit is ever agreeable.
The toilet-table should be always well furnished with a
clean hair brush and a nice comb; a hand-mirror of sufficient
size to afford a glimpse of the back of the head and neck. A
small work-box, properly furnished with needles, scissors,
thimble and thread, ought to find a place on the dressing table,
in case the visitor may have occasion to repair any accident
that may have happened to her dress.
Page 15
Presented as published in 1883. 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
Let the children be strictly forbidden to run into the apartments of visitors; interdict them from going thither unless sent with a message, and then let them be made to understand that they are always to knock at the door, and not go in until desired to do so. Also that they are not to play and make a noise in the neighborhood of her room. And when she comes into the parlor, that they are not to jump on her lap, put their hands into her pockets, or rummage her work-basket, or rumple and soil her dress by clinging to it with their hands. Neither should they be permitted to amuse themselves by rattling on the lower keys when she is playing on the piano, or interrupt her by teasing her all the time to play *'for them to dance." To permit children to ask visitors for pennies or sixpences is mean and contemptible. And if money is given them by a guest, they should be made to return it immediately.
Inquire on the first evening if your visitor is accustomed to taking any refreshment before she retires for the night. If she is, have something sent up to her room every night, unless your own family are in the same habit. These little repasts are very pleasant, especially at the close of a long winter evening, and after coming home from a place of public amusement.
To ^'welcome the coming — speed the parting guest" — is a good maxim. So, when your visitor is about to Jeave you, make all smooth and ready for her departure. Let her be called up at an early hour, if she is to set out in the morning. Send a servant up to strap and bring down her trunks, as soon as she has announced that 'they are ready; and see that an early breakfast is prepared for her, and some of the family up and dressed to share it with her. Have a cab or carriage at the door in due time, and let some male member of the family accompany her to the starting place, and see her off, attending to her baggage and procuring tickets.
Visitors. — ^When you have invited a friend to take tea with you endeavor to render her visit as agreeable as you can; and try by all means to make her comfortable.
The servant who attends the door should be instructed to show the guest upstairs as soon as she arrives, conducting her to an unoccupied apartment, where she may take off her bonnet and arrange her hair, or any part of her dress that may re-
quire change and improvement. The lady should then be left to herself. Nothing is polite that can possibly incommode or embarrass — therefore it is a mistaken civility for the hostess, or some female member of the family, to follow the visitor upstairs, and remain with her all the time she is preparing for her appearance in the parlor. Over officiousness is not politeness, and nothing troublesome and inconvenieiit is ever agreeable.
The toilet-table should be always well furnished with a clean hair brush and a nice comb; a hand-mirror of sufficient size to afford a glimpse of the back of the head and neck. A small work-box, properly furnished with needles, scissors, thimble and thread, ought to find a place on the dressing table, in case the visitor may have occasion to repair any accident that may have happened to her dress.