Chapter Third-INVITATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS SON Oriental scholar tells us that when a rich man made a feast in old Jerusalem, the socially elect were notified by servants sent to the houses of the several guests to make the announcement, "Come, for all things are now ready." In default of clocks and watches, such an arrangement was an insurance against belated arrivals. What an economy of effort is our privilege in these days, when on hospitable thoughts intent! A competent engraver and the indefatigable postman leave us but the trouble to make the selection of our guests, since the invitations may even be addressed where they are printed, if it be so desired. The square of card-board or hand-written note stands for much. To the recipients it is the recognition that they have a place among their fellows, that they are wanted, that "the pleasure of their company is requested" falls agreeably on the ear. An invitation being a compliment, the wording is always cordially courteous. Its conventional form for ceremonious functions is a proper large, unglazed card, or sheet of heavy form for English paper, usually engraved in The invitations script, though, for the sake of novelty, the lettering varies according to fashion. In whose name issued Wedding and dinner invitations are always issued in the names of host and hostess, but for balls, dances, afternoon receptions, teas, and garden-parties, the invitations are sent in the name of the hostess alone, for some unexplained reason, except when a widower entertains for his daughters. daughter preside over his household, her name should appear jointly with his. If a If a reception is given in the evening, the husband's name should appear on the invitation and he would receive with his wife. A receptions Evening young girl should never invite men in her own name for any function, however informal, but she may write over her own signature that her mother or chaperon desires her to extend the invitation. The word "ball" is never used in a private invitation. The object of the entertainment is Invitations indicated by the word "Dancing" or "Cotillion" in one corner of the card or sheet. for balls and dances card with the words, The usual form is a large Mrs. Irving Knickerbocker Thursday evening, January the fourth Cotillion at eleven R. s. v. p. Fifty West Fiftieth Street It is considered more elegant, however, to leave a blank for the name to be written in, addressing the guest in the third person, Mrs. Irving Knickerbocker company on Wednesday evening Dancing Twenty-Fifth Avenue Costume In the case of a costume ball the special feature of the entertainment is engraved in the lower left-hand corner of the card of balls invitation, "Bal poudré," " Costume." Dinner dances For a dinner dance two sets of invitations are issued. To those whom the hosts wish to entertain at dinner a note is written, or an engraved dinner-card used, with the name written in, and "Dancing at eleven" in the corner. To those invited for the dancing only, the usual "At Home" card is sent, with the words "Dancing at eleven" in the lower left-hand corner. Informal For an informal dance the invitations are written, either in the formula previously quoted or in a friendly note. Originality is not looked for; every one follows the stereotyped form, dances MY DEAR MISS JAY, Will you give us the pleasure of your company at an informal little dance, on Tuesday evening, February the fourth, at nine o'clock? The Cotillion will begin at ten, and we hope that no previous engagement may deprive us of the pleasure of seeing you. Very cordially yours, January the twenty-third. KATHERINE LIVINGSTON. If the note-paper be not engraved with the address, it should of course be written. For a subscription ball, such as the Assembly, the card is double, opening like a book, in order to accommodate the names of the patronesses within, and is en Subscription dances graved, The pleasure of company is requested at the Thursday, January the twenty-eighth Then follow the names of the four ladies of the on the card where the ball is to take place, but the patronesses of the Assembly omit it, assuming that it is too well known to require mention. If a single card is used, the names of the patronesses are engraved at the back. Each subscriber is usually entitled to five or six cards of invitation, which he distributes among his friends. The person giving the invitation encloses the card with a note, saying in few words that the writer hopes that the recipient may be able to use it. It usually encloses as well a " voucher " or " coupon,' - a small card bearing the date of the ball and the name of the guest, to be presented at the door, as a safeguard against the intrusion of persons not invited. A sample invitation for a dancing- For class reads as follows: M The pleasure of dancingclasses company is requested as a member of the Fortnightly Dances to be held in The Astor Gallery, Waldorf-Astoria, on Tuesday evenings, Dec. 4th and 18th, Jan. 8th and 22nd, Feb. 5th and 19th, 1900-1901. Cotillion from half-past nine until half-past twelve. Dues $15.00, payable before November 1st. (Here follow the ladies' names.) As the membership is limited, an answer is requested before May first, to (Name and address) |