A bit fulsome, perhaps, but one easily forgives any over-appreciation of a kindness. Those who entertain most, usually infuse much cordiality in their responses. It is sometimes noticed that the politeness is more effusive when the excuse for a regret is not apparent. We can all sympathize with the young man who telegraphed his regret to his host: "Very sorry. Cannot come. No lie ready!" Alas, we may not economize our politeness, though truth be at stake! It is said with some justice that it is not necessary to make any excuses for a regret, and that they are going out of fashion, since the person giving the invitation usually only desires to know whether or not it is accepted, the reasons being matters of indifference, in view of the fact. It is an arbitrary rule, perhaps, but one sanctioned by custom, to address the answer to an invitation to the lady of the house, even when it is one in which her husband joins. Invitations to subscription dances are Replies to acknowledged to the persons to whom invitations one is indebted for their receipt. To those from a ball-committee one swers, to sub scription an- dances "Mr. Blank accepts with pleasure the Committee's kind invitation," etc. It is always wise to keep one's invita- Preserve tions until after the function. One may the invitation have occasion to refer to them to verify a date or excuse one's self for a supposed mistake. To ask a friend to "come sometime" is equivalent to no invitation at all. As a rule, any time means no time. Too many well-meaning persons are impolite without knowing it. No one, however intimate, should invite himself anywhere. The desire may be so tactone's self fully conveyed that it may or may not be taken advantage of without betray Inviting ing the feelings of either party. list Sometimes a lady not having a large circle of acquaintances, or coming as a stranger to a place, Borrowing but who desires to give a dance for her a visiting- daughter or to do honor to some distinguished guest, borrows the visitinglist of a friend socially well known. The card of the lady who thus stands sponsor must be enclosed with the invitation, and the lady herself aids the hostess in receiving the guests. Honor On no account should an invitation be lightly thrown over, for some later suggestion that offers a more tempting prospect. Some perin keeping sons apparently feel at liberty to make engage and break engagements according to ments mood and caprice, which is not only execrably bad form, but reveals a selfish disregard for the convenience of others. A woman never accepts an invitation to a house for a call or visit from a man alone. Though he may tell her that his sisters are all anxiety to know her, they may express the eagerness in a note of invitation which should be distinctly cordial. Self If we are overlooked while others are invited, let us be slow to wrath, and take only the revenge of making ourselves so agreeable when we meet those who have so slighted us, that respecting their regret shall be more poignant than behavior For a thoroughly satisfactory revenge, there is nothing better than "coals of fire"! our own. Chapter Fourth-WEDDING INVI TATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS wwwNVITATIONS for a wedding generally include the entire acquaintance of both the families concerned, but are always issued by that of the bride, from two to four weeks before the ceremony. Their present form and fashion is a large sheet of heavy English paper, almost square, about seven and a half inches long by six and a quarter inches broad, either white, cream-tinted, or palest gray, folding once to fit the envelope. Upon this is engraved in script or Old English, and occasionally in block lettering, the invitation to the ceremony, enclosing a card, about half its size, for the reception or wedding-breakfast. Simplicity and elegance characterize them. No colored arms or initials are ever seen, and historic families are usually the only ones who use crests without inviting criticism. These are embossed in white at the top of the sheet, as is done occasionally with the initial of the bride's family. The plain sheet, however, is more fashionable. The prefix "Miss" is never placed before the young woman's name, but " Mr." is used invariably before that of the man, which is given in full without initials. Officers in the regular army and navy above the rank of lieutenant have their titles prefixed in full, on invitations. A lieutenant uses the prefix "Mr." His rank and branch of service are engraved in a line beneath his name. Honorary titles are never used, but for a clergyman the word "Reverend" is given in full. It is now considered more elegant to address the guest in the third person, rather than in the second as heretofore, leaving a blank for the Correct name, which is filled in by hand. It is wording of the more courtly form, and the written invitations name seems to show a more personal thought for each guest, though the older manner is still correct. The formula is Mr. and Mrs. John Chester Lloyd request the honour of 's presence at the marriage of their daughter Florence and Mr. James Barrett Wood on Wednesday, April the fifth at St. Bartholomew's Church If the invitations are to be sent to acquaintances in other places, the name of the town or State is added. In New York it is usually omitted, prob |
