For informal receptions, invitations are most frequently written on
the left hand corner of the hostess's visiting card: MRS. CHARLES
GREY, Thursday, from five to eight o'clock.
At an evening reception, the lady should be dressed in handsome home
toilet, and receive standing. If several ladies receive together,
their cards should be enclosed with the invitation. The simplicity of
the occasion leaves the hostess the more time to devote to the
enjoyment of her guests. Music, both vocal and instrumental, is a
great addition to an evening reception.
Refreshments are generally served informally. The table should be set
tastily in the dining-room, and supplied with coffee or chocolate at
one end and a tea service at the other. Besides these, daintily
prepared sandwiches, buns, cakes, ices and fruits are served. If the
reception is very select, and the number of guests small, a servant
presents a tray with tea, sugar and cream, while another follows with
the simple refreshments that should accompany it.
A wedding reception, or a very elaborate evening reception, of course
admits of much more ceremony, as well as more substantial
refreshments, than small entertainments.
Ladies attend evening receptions in _demi-toilette_, with or without
bonnets, and gentlemen in full morning dress.
[Illustration: RECEPTION TO A DISTINGUISHED GUEST.]
Invitations to evening receptions, lawn or musical parties are
informal, but require an answer, as it is agreeable to every hostess
to know the number of her expected guests.
[Illustration:
_To meet their Royal Highnesses,_
_The Infantes Eulalia_
_And_
_Antoine of Spain._
_The Spanish Consul_
_And_
_Mrs. Chatfield-Taylor._
_At Home,_
_Monday, June twelfth, at nine o'clock._
_21 Pearson Street._]
If the reception is given in honor of some individual or celebrity the
name of the honored guest should appear at the top of the invitation,
as above _fac-simile_ of cards issued by the Spanish Consul in honor
of the Infanta of Spain during the Columbian Exposition.
Evening Receptions.
Evening receptions being simpler in detail and less expensive than
parties, are becoming more fashionable every year, especially among
people of literary and artistic tastes.
Guests calling, meet a select circle, among whom are usually poets,
artists, and persons of elegant leisure, formality is readily broken,
and the occasion is always one of pleasure.
The hour for leaving a reception is varied (anywhere from eleven P.M.
to one A.M. being usual). Early hours are usual among those who have
other engagements and who go on to other parties, remaining about half
an hour at each one: thus, at crowded receptions the departures
commence before the arrivals have ceased to be announced.
Morning Receptions or Matinees.
Of all the entertainments given during the daytime, luncheons,
breakfasts, afternoon teas, kettledrums, etc., the morning reception,
so-called, although it is given in the afternoon, is perhaps the most
formal. Some hostesses adopt the French fashion of calling it a
matinee, meaning any social gathering that is held before dinner, as
any party is called in France a _soiree_.
There are many advantages in a morning party. It affords ladies who do
not attend evening receptions the pleasure of meeting on a semi-formal
occasion, and is also a well chosen occasion for introducing a new
pianist or singer. For a busy woman of fashion a matinee, beginning at
two and ending at four or half-past, which are the usual hours for
these entertainments, is a most convenient time. It does not interfere
with a five o'clock tea, or a drive, nor unfit her for a dinner party
or evening entertainment. Convenient, however, as this hour is for
ladies, it is quite the reverse for gentlemen, since the majority of
them in America do not belong to the leisure class. Hence to avoid
this inequality of the sexes, ladies often give these matinees on some
of our national holidays.
When, as often happens, some great celebrity is to be presented to a
large circle of friends, there is no more satisfactory form of
entertainment to be afforded him than a morning reception. To this we
may draw to meet him many men who could not be brought together at a
late-hour, full-dress, evening entertainment. Authors, artists,
clergymen, lawyers, statesmen, editors, doctors and capitalists, as
well as cultivated society women, financiers and philosophers, can
all be brought together in easy and friendly social intercourse.
But, if we hope to gather about us men of mind and distinction, we
must not expect to be amused only, we must be amusing, we must offer
some tempting equivalent; something that has the ring of pure gold,
rather than the glamour of fashionable dress, dancing or music. So,
with an Archbishop to entertain, we may hope to attract the
distinguished clergy of the city; with a great author, other
celebrities of the pen and pencil who will gladly come to greet him;
and once drawn to a successful and brilliant assembly, they will be
easily induced to return. Therefore, any lady who would make her home
attractive to the best society must offer some higher stimulant than
the glitter of fashion. For good society we need men and women who can
talk. We need relaxation, and it is best sought in intercourse of
abiding value with those whose lives differ from those of our own.
Correct Dress.
The invitations are written in the same form as those given for an
evening entertainment, and although given by daylight, the rooms are
frequently darkened and artificial illumination gives to the whole a
festive air. The hostess may be dressed in demi-toilet, somewhat low
at the throat if wished, and of the richest materials, but not in full
evening dress, laces or conspicuous jewels. She may have friends to
receive with her who will dress in the same demi-toilets. The guests
wear reception dresses or handsome street dresses. Wraps are laid
aside, but hats and gloves are kept on. Gentlemen wear full morning
dress on all these occasions. Overcoats and umbrellas are left in the
hall or dressing-room, but hats, if the stay is to be short, may be
carried into the drawing-room.
Visitors do not usually remain more than half an hour, though, if the
occasion is especially interesting, an hour or more is often spent.
Conversation is indulged in, and guests listen to music, or whatever
is provided for their entertainment. At an ordinary morning reception
the refreshments are light, and served the same as at an evening
reception. If, however, the occasion is unusually important, the
collation is more abundant, and the service more formal.
Visitors leave cards to serve instead of the after call. Those who
were invited but unable to attend, call within a few days. (For
general forms of invitations see Department of "Invitations.")
Introductions are not expected to be general, except where the
reception is given in honor of some one person, when, of course, all
comers are presented to this guest. Morning parties given in small
country towns are attended with less formality than in large cities,
and introductions are general.