148

HE morning call should be very brief. This formal call is mainly one of ceremony, and from ten to twenty minutes is a sufficient length of time to prolong it. It should never exceed half an hour.

In making a formal call, a lady does not remove her bonnet or wraps.

Unless there be a certain evening set apart for receiv. ing, the formal call should be made in the morning.

It is customary, according to the code of etiquette, to call all the hours of daylight morning, and after

nightfall evening. Calls may be made in the morning or in the evening. The call in the morning should not be made before 12 M., nor later than 5 P. M.

A gentleman, making a formal call in the morning, must retain his hat in his hand. He may leave umbrella and cane in the hall, but not his hat and gloves. The fact of retaining hat indicates a formal call. When a gentleman accompanies a lady

at a morning call (which is seldom), he assists her up the steps, rings the bell, and follows her into the reception-room. It is for the lady to determine when they should leave.

All uncouth and ungraceful positions are especially unbecoming among ladies and gentlemen in the parlor. Thus (Fig. 6), standing with the arms akimbo, sitting astride a chair, wearing the hat, and smoking in the presence of ladies, lean. ing back in the chair, standing with legs crossed and feet on the chairs-all those acts evince lack of polished manners.

If possible, avoid calling at the lunch or dinner hour. Among society people the most fashionable hours for calling are from 12 M. to 3 P. M. At homes where dinner or lunch is taken at noon, calls may be made from 2 to 5 P. M.

Should other callers be announced, it is well, as soon as the bustle attending the new arrival is over, to arise quietly, take leave of the hostess, bow to the visitors, and retire, without apparently doing so because of the new arrivals. This saves the hostess the trouble of en. tertaining two sets of callers.

During the visits of ceremony, however, strict attention should be given to entertaining the callers.

Gentlemen may make morning calls on the following occasions: To convey congratulations or sympathy and condolence, to meet a friend who has just returned from abroad, to inquire after the health of a lady who may have accepted his escort on the previous day. (He should not delay the latter more than a day.) He may call upon those to whom letters of introduction are given, to express thanks for any favor which may have been rendered him, or to return a call. A great variety of circumstances will also determine when at other times he should make calls.

Evening Calls.

Evening calls should never be made later than 9 P. M., and never prolonged later than 10 P. M.

In making a formal call in the evening, the gentleman must hold hat and gloves, unless invited to lay them aside and spend the evening. In making an informal call in the eve ning, a gentleman may leave hat, cane, overshoes, etc., in the hall, provided he is invited to do so, and the lady may remove her wraps.

No. 1. Stands with arms akimbo.

2. Sits with elbows on the knees. 3. Sits astride the chair, and wears his hat in the parlor.

4. Stains the wall paper by pressing against it with his hand; eats an apple alone, and stands

To say bright and witty things during he call of ceremony, and go so soon that the hostess will desire the aller to come again, is much the more pleasant. No topic of a polif al or religious character should be admitted to the conversation, nor ny subject of absorbing interest likely to lead to discussion.

A lady engaged upon fancy sewing of any kind, or needlework, need not necessary lay aside the same during the call of intimate acquaintances. Conversation can flow just as freely while the visit continues.

with his legs crossed. No. 5. Rests his foot upon the chair. cushion.

6. Tips back his chair, soils the wall by resting his head against it, and smokes in the presence of ladies.

The evening call should not gener ally be prolonged over an hour. With very intimate friends, however, it may be made a little longer; but the caller should be very careful that the visit be not made tiresome.

General Suggestions.

Calls from people living in the country are expected to be longer and less ceremonious than from those in the city.

When it has been impossible to attend a dinner or a social gathering, a call should be made soon afterwards, to express regret at the inability to be present.

A gentleman, though a stranger, may with propriety escort an unattended lady to the carriage, and afterwards return and make his farewell bow to the hostess.

Should a guest arrive to remain for some time with the friend, those who are intimate with the family should call as soon as possible, and these calls should be returned at the earliest opportunity.

Unless invited to do so, it is a violation of etiquette to draw near the fire for the purpose of warming one's self. Should you, while waiting the appearance of the hostess, have done so, you will arise upon her arrival and then take the seat she may assign you.

When a lady has set apart a certain evening for receiving calls, it is not usual to call at other times, except the excuse be business reasons.

149

The physician may have his professional title, as

DR. ROBERT HOLLAND, or ROBERT HOLLAND, M. D.
No. 70 Henderson St.
No. 70 Henderson St.

The officers of the army and navy may have their titles thus:

LIEUT. HENRY H. WEBSTER, U. S. A.

LIEUT. HARVEY B. SNOW, U. S. N.

A card left, during your illness, should be answered by a call as soon as your health will permit.

The honorary titles of Prof., Hon., Esq., etc., are not allowable upon the calling card in the United States.

When about leaving town, the card which is left will bear on the lower left-hand corner the letters "P. P. C. "-"Presents parting compliments," from the French "Pour Prendre Conge"-to take leave. The card may also be sent by mail or private carrier, the latter mode of conveyance showing most respect. *

A card sent to a person who is ill or in affliction, from the loss of a relative, should be accompanied by verbal inquiries regarding the person's health.

Cards may be left immediately where

a death is known, but a call of sympa thy and condolence is not usually made within a week after the bereavement.

The lady in mourning who may not desire to make calls, will send mourning cards instead of making calls for such period of time as she may not desire to mingle in general society.

Should the servant reply to a gentleman that the lady of the house, to whom the call is made, is not at home, but the daughter is, he should send in his card, as it is not usual for layoung dies to receive calls from gentlemen un. less they are quite intimate friends.

It is well to have cards in readiness at every call. If a servant meets you at the door, to send up a card will save mis. pronouncing your name, and if the lady is not at home it will show that you have called. Should there be two or more la. dies in the household, to turn down one corner of the card will signify that the call was designed for all the family.

WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED WHEN CALLING.

Do not stare around the room.

Do not take a dog or small child.

Do not linger at the dinner-hour.

Do not lay aside the bonnet at a formal call.
Do not fidget with your cane, hat or parasol.
Do not make a call of ceremony on a wet day.
Do not turn your back to one seated near you.
Do not touch the piano, unless invited to do so.
Do not handle ornaments or furniture in the room.
Do not make a display of consulting your watch.
Do not go to the room of an invalid, unless invited.
Do not remove the gloves when making a formal call.

Do not continue the call longer when conversation begins to lag.
Do not remain when you find the lady upon the point of going out.
Do not make the first call if you are a new-comer in the neighborhood.
Do not open or shut doors or windows or alter the arrangement of the

room.

Do not enter a room without first knocking and receiving an invitation to come in. Do not resume your seat after having risen to go, unless for important

reasons.

Do not walk around the room, examining pictures, while waiting for the hostess. Do not introduce politics, religion or weighty topics for conversation when making calls.

The figures in the above illustration represent graceful postures to be assumed by both ladies and gen tlemen in the parlor. As will be seen, whether holding hat or fan, either sitting or standing, the posi tions are all easy and graceful.

The handsomest style of card is that which is engraved; next is that which is prettily written. Succeeding, comes the printed card, which, with some of the modern script or text types, makes a most beautiful card if neatly printed. Extra ornament is out of place. When desirous of seeing anyone at a hotel or parlor, send up your card by the waiter, while you wait in the reception-room or office. The hostess should, if not desiring to see anyone, send word that she is "engaged" when the servant first goes to the door, and not after the carl has been sent up. Should she desire certain persons only to be admitted, let the servant understand the names definitely.

P. P. C. cards are no longer left when leaving home to he absent a few months.

To assume an easy, genteel atti tude, the individual must be selfpossessed. To be so, attention must be given to easy flow of language, happy expression of thought, study of cultured society and the general laws of etiquette.

Do not prolong the call if the room

is crowded. It is better to call a day or two afterwards.

Do not call upon a person in reduced circumstances with a display of wealth, dress and equipage.

Do not tattle. Do not speak ill of your neighbors. Do not carry gossip from one family to another.

Do not, if a gentleman, seat yourself upon the sofa beside the hostess, or in near proximity, unless invited to do so. Do not, if a lady, call upon a gentleman, except officially or professionally, be a confirmed invalid.

unless he

may

Do not take a strange gentleman with you, unless positively certain that his introduction will be received with favor.

Do not, if a gentleman, leave the hat in the hall when making merely a formal call. If the call is extended into a visit, it may then be set aside. Whether sitting or standing (Fig. 7), the hat may be gracefully held in the hand.

Duty of the Hostess.

She should greet each guest with quiet, easy grace.

She should avoid leaving the room while guests are present. She should furnish refreshments to those callers who come a long dis tance to see her.

She should be aided, upon important occasions, by a gentleman, in the reception of guests.

She should avoid speaking disrespectfully of those who have previ ously called upon her; she should equally divide her attentions among the several callers, that none may feel slighted.

0

F LATE years it has become fashionable for ladies in many cities and villages to announce in the newspapers the fact of their intention to receive calls upon New Year's day, which practice

is very excellent, as it enables gentlemen to know positively who will be prepared to receive them on that occasion; besides, changes of residence are so frequent in large cities as to make the publication of names and places of calling a great convenience.

The practice of issuing personal notes of invitation, which is sometimes done, to a list of gentlemen acquaintances, stating that certain ladies will receive on New Year's day, is not to be commended. It looks very much like begging the gentlemen to come and see them; moreover, should the practice generally prevail, it would, in a brief time, abolish New Year's calls altogether, as gentlemen would not feel at liberty to make calls unless personally invited; and thus the custom would soon go into disuse.

Upon calling, the gentlemen are invited to remove overcoat and hat, which invitation is accepted unless it is the design to make the call very brief. If refreshments are provided, the ladies will desire to have the gentlemen partake of them, which cannot conveniently be done in overcoat, with hat in hand. Gloves are sometimes retained upon the hand during the call, but this is optional. Cards are sent up, and the gentlemen are ushered into the reception-room. The call should not exceed ten or fifteen minutes, unless the callers are few and it should be mutually agreeable to prolong the stay.

Ready to Go, Yet Waiting.

SOME evening callers make themselves odious by continuing their visit too long, and even when they have risen to depart they lack decision of purpose to go, but will frequently stand several minutes before taking final leave, and then when wraps are on and they are nearly gone, they will stand in the 200way to teli one more story while the hostess protects herself as best she can from the incoming gusts of wind and storm, sometimes thus taking a cold that ends in death. When the guest is ready to go-go. Calling.*

be cold, and a table, conveniently located in the room, with freshments, consisting of fruits, cakes, bread and other food, such as may be deemed desirable, with tea and coffee. No intoxicating drinks should be allowed. Refreshments are in no case absolutely essential. They can be dispensed with if not convenient.

Ladies expecting calls on New Year's should be in readiness to receive from 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. It is pleasant for two or more ladies to receive calls together on that occasion, as several ladies can the more easily entertain a party of several gentlemen who may be present at one time. While gentlemen may go alone, they also frequently go in pairs, threes, fours or more. They call upon all the ladies of the party, and where they are not acquainted introductions take place, care being taken that persons do not intrude themselves

Best taste will suggest that a lady having the conveniences shall receive her guests at her own home, but it is admissible and common for several ladies to meet at the residence of one and receive calls together. Whether ladies make announcement or not, however, it will be usually safe for gentlemen to call on their lady friends on New Year's, as the visit will generally be received with pleasure.

It is customary for the ladies who announce that they will receive to make their parlors attractive on that day, and present themselves in full dress. They should have a bright, cheerful fire, if the weather

where they would not be welcome. Each gentleman should be provided with a large number of cards, with his own name upon each, one of which he will present to every lady of the company where he calls.

The ladies keep these cards for future reference, it being often pleasant to revive the incidents of the day by subsequent examination of the cards received upon that occasion.

An usher should be present wherever many calls are expected, to receive guests and care for hats and coats. The calls are necessarily very brief, and are made delightfully pleasant by continual change of face and conversation. But, however genial and free may be the interchange of compliments upon this occasion, no young man who is a stranger to the family should feel at liberty to call again without a subsequent invitation

The two or three days succeeding New Year's are the ladies' days for calling, upon which occasion they pass the compliments of the season, comment upon the incidents connected with the festivities of the holiday, the number of calls made, and the new faces that made their appearance among the visitors. It is customary upon this occasion of ladies' meeting to offer refreshments and to enjoy the intimacy of a friendly visit.

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In the first place, in

order to converse well, there must be knowledge; there must be a command of language, assisted by imagination; there must be understanding of the rules of construction to frame sentences aright; there must be confidence and self-possession, and there must be courage to overcome failure.

To be an excellent conversationalist is a very desirable accomplishment. We talk more than we do anything else. By conversation we may make friends, we may retain them, or we may lose them.

We may impart information; we may acquire it. We may make the company with whom we associate contented with itself, or we can sow inharmony and discord. Our success in life largely rests upon our ability to Converse well; therefore, the necessity of our carefully studying what should and what should not be said when talking.

How to Please in Conversation.

Coarse and Boisterous.

HE refinement and culture of an individual can be largely deter

In

mined by the tone of voice and the manner of speaking. In ordinary conversation the wild gesticulation, the coarse and boisterous laugh, and the uncouth position are all indicative of ill-breeding. such a domestic group as is here represented the ties of nature may be quite as strong as in more refined circles, and yet the tendency is to introduce a variety of topics into the general conversation that were better not discussed. The rude jest, the coarse criticism of absent ones, the unclean song and the foolish retort, are the natural outgrowth of such a gathering. Education and knowledge of the rules that govern polite society would have prevented such a scene as this by providing instruction and lessons of culture and refinement. While there is at the present day every facility for improving the minds of the young, it is no less true that politeness and respect for superiors are not properly taught.

Use clear, distinct words to express your ideas, although the tone of your voice should be subdued. Be cool, collected and self-possessed, using respectful, chaste and appropriate language.

Always defend the absent person who is being spoken of, as far as truth and justice will permit.

Allow people that you are with to do their full share of the talking if they evince a willingness to converse.

Beware of talking much about yourself. Your merits will be discovered in due time without the necessity of sounding your own praises.

Show the courtesy, when another person joins the group where you

Aim to adapt your conversation to the comprehension of those with whom you are conversing. Be careful that you do not undervalue them. It is possible that they are as intelligent as yourself, and their conversation can, perhaps, take as wide a range as your own.

Remember that the person to whom you are speaking is not to blame for the opinion he entertains. Opinions are not made by us, but they are made for us by circumstances. With the same organization, training and circumstances around us, we would have the same opinions ourselves.

Remember that people are fond of talking of their own affairs. The mother likes to talk of her children, the mechanic of his workmanship, the laborer of what he can accomplish. Give every one an opportunity, and you will gain much valuable information besides being thought courteous and well-bred.

Do not manifest impatience. Do not engage in argument.