If the young lady be motherless she often has her name engraved beneath
that of her father, using not the smaller card of a gentleman but the
first given oblong card for ladies. In England unmarried ladies, unless
they have reached a very “uncertain” age indeed, follow the above
fashion, and quite young ladies leave their chaperon’s card as well.
This fashion is often followed here, and when so done signifies that
they will be inseparable for the season.
Address on Cards.
There is much question as to whether the address should be engraved
on a lady’s card, some very exclusive circles prohibiting it entirely
on a young lady’s card and questioning its use for a married lady,
suggesting that in case a young lady desires to give her address to any
particular individual it may be easily pencilled on one of her cards
for the occasion, and that married ladies have the privilege of leaving
one of their husband’s, with engraved address, in connection with their
own. This custom, while it may seem an over-nicety to those outside the
great centers of metropolitan life, will be appreciated by all those to
whom the “ins and outs” of city life are familiar. It should be said
that while engraving the address is still a mooted question, except
for young ladies, each individual is at liberty to use her own judgment
on the question.
Cards for Gentlemen.
The size and style of a gentleman’s card has been already given, but
a few words as to name and titles will be necessary here. Custom,
with reference to the cards that a man must carry, is considerably
less arbitrary than towards women in the same respect. He may use his
initials or his full name, as it pleases him. He may inscribe himself
“Mr. John Smith,” or simply “John Smith,” and be quite correct in so
doing, though just now there is a little inclination in favor of the
more formal “Mr.” an English custom we do well in copying.
Military, not militia, naval and judicial titles, may always be used.
Physicians and clergymen have the same privilege; honorary titles,
however, should be avoided.
A private gentleman would have his card as: MR. HOWARD MASON, 24 Union
Square. If he were a club man, the club name, providing it were a very
fashionable one, would take the place of the address, as: MR. HOWARD
MASON, Union League Club. For a military card: CAPTAIN ARTHUR COLEMAN,
U. S. A. For a naval card: ADMIRAL PORTER, U. S. N. A medical man might
use the following: GEORGE H. HARRISON, M.D.
Some eminent men go to extreme simplicity, as, for instance, “Mr.
Webster” being all that graced the cards of that celebrity.
It is hardly necessary to say that a business card should never be used
as a visiting card. A gentleman carries his cards either in his pocket
or in a small leather case sold for that purpose.
Cards for Receptions.
Cards used for receptions, lawn-tennis parties, afternoon teas, etc.,
in place of more formal invitations, have been fully described under
“Invitations.” One example will suffice here: MRS. LAWRENCE BARRETT,
July 1st, at 4. P. M. The object of the entertainment being written in
the corner of the engraved card.
Cards for receptions are a necessary convenience in this era of lengthy
visiting lists. Without them there would be no possibility of leisure
or of seeing one’s friends at their own homes. The following is an
example: MRS. EMMONS B. CHURCHILL, Thursdays. Or: Thursdays, Three
o’clock to five, may be substituted; the latter form, however, usually
meaning that a simple afternoon tea will be served on the day mentioned.
A young lady never sends out a reception card in her own name alone,
but her name is engraved upon her mother’s card or that of her
chaperon, thus: MRS. HAROLD GRAY; MISS GRAY, Wednesdays, Four o’clock
to seven. Or, in case of a chaperone: MRS. GEORGE M. JANSEN; MISS ALICE
LEVICTOIRE, Wednesdays, Three o’clock to five.
Foreign Phrases.
There are a certain number of French phrases that custom has declared
shall take the place of that “pure English undefiled” whereof Spenser
wrote. In a few cases these chance to be shorter, more euphonious, and
more directly to the point than the corresponding English phrase. For
instance, the word “chaperon,” so important in its signification at
the present, has no adequate English translation. Below is given an
alphabetical list of those phrases in most frequent use, together with
the abbreviations that ofttimes serve in place of the full phrase: