The notes are usually sent either eight, seven, or six days
before the party; if it is to be very large, ten days cr two
v/eeks. In the notes always specify not only the day of the
v/eek, but also the day of the month, when the party is to take
place. It is very customary now to designate the hour of as-
sembling, and then tlie company are expected to be pur.ctual to
that time. People really genteel do not go ridiculously late.
When a ball is intended, let the words "Dancing" be intro-
duced, in small letters, at the lower left-hand corner of the
note.
In preparing for a party, it is well (cspccidiiy if you have
had but little experience yourself) to send for one of the pub-
lic waiters and consult with him on the newest style of "doing
these things." He can also give you an idea of the probable
expense. We do not, of couTse, allude to magnificent enter-
56 ETIQUETTE.
tainments such as are celebrated in the newspaper^ and beom?
a nine days' wonder.
In engaging your presiding genius it is weU to desire him
to come on the morning of the party; he will be fouDd of great
advantage in assisting with the final preparations. He will
ttend to the silver, and china and glass; and see that the
iamps are all in order, and that the fires are in proper trim
for evening. He will bring with him (at whatever hour you
indicate) his young men, as he calls them, and these are his
apprentices that he has in training for the profession.
One of these men should be stationed in the vestibule, oi
just within the front door. On that evening (if not at othei
times) let this door be furnished with a lamp, placed on a shelf
or bracket in the fanlight, to illumine the steps and shine down
upon the pavement where the ladies cross it on alighting from
their carriages. If the evening prove rainy, let another man
attend, with an umbrella, to assist in sheltering them on their
way into the house. The ladies should all wear overshoes,
to guard their thin slippers from the damp, in their transit from
the coach to the vestibule.
At the top, or on the landing-place of the first staircase, let
another man be posted to show the female guests to their
dressing room, while still another waiter stays near the gentle-
man's room till the company have arrived.
In the apartment prepared as a dressing room for the ladies,
twp or more women should be all the evening in attendance;
the room being well warmed, well lighted, and furnished with
all that may be requisite for giving the last touches to head,
feet, and figure, previous to entering the drawing room. When
ready to go down, the ladies meet their gentlemen in the pass-
age between the respective dressing rooms.
If any lady is without an escort, and has no friends at hand,
she should send for the master of the house to meet her near
the door and give her his arm into the drawing room. He
will then lead her to the hostess and to a seat. Let her then
bow, as a sign that she releases him from further attendance,
and leaves him at liberty to divide his civilities among his
Other guests.
In the liulies* room, beside Iavo toilette glasses with their
ETIQUETTE. 57
Page 37
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
The notes are usually sent either eight, seven, or six days before the party; if it is to be very large, ten days cr two v/eeks. In the notes always specify not only the day of the v/eek, but also the day of the month, when the party is to take place. It is very customary now to designate the hour of assembling, and then the company are expected to be punctual to that time. People really genteel do not go ridiculously late. When a ball is intended, let the words "Dancing" be introduced, in small letters, at the lower left-hand corner of the note.
In preparing for a party, it is well (especially if you have had but little experience yourself) to send for one of the public waiters and consult with him on the newest style of "doing these things." He can also give you an idea of the probable expense. We do not, of course, allude to magnificent entertainments such as are celebrated in the newspapers and become a nine days' wonder.
In engaging your presiding genius it is well to desire him to come on the morning of the party; he will be found of great advantage in assisting with the final preparations. He will attend to the silver, and china and glass; and see that the iamps are all in order, and that the fires are in proper trim for evening. He will bring with him (at whatever hour you indicate) his young men, as he calls them, and these are his apprentices that he has in training for the profession.
One of these men should be stationed in the vestibule, oi just within the front door. On that evening (if not at othei times) let this door be furnished with a lamp, placed on a shelf or bracket in the fanlight, to illumine the steps and shine down upon the pavement where the ladies cross it on alighting from their carriages. If the evening prove rainy, let another man attend, with an umbrella, to assist in sheltering them on their way into the house. The ladies should all wear overshoes, to guard their thin slippers from the damp, in their transit from the coach to the vestibule.
At the top, or on the landing-place of the first staircase, let another man be posted to show the female guests to their dressing room, while still another waiter stays near the gentleman's room till the company have arrived.
In the apartment prepared as a dressing room for the ladies, twp or more women should be all the evening in attendance; the room being well warmed, well lighted, and furnished with all that may be requisite for giving the last touches to head, feet, and figure, previous to entering the drawing room. When ready to go down, the ladies meet their gentlemen in the passage between the respective dressing rooms.
If any lady is without an escort, and has no friends at hand, she should send for the master of the house to meet her near the door and give her his arm into the drawing room. He will then lead her to the hostess and to a seat. Let her then bow, as a sign that she releases him from further attendance, and leaves him at liberty to divide his civilities among his Other guests.
In the liulies* room, beside Iavo toilette glasses with their