Page 7 Advertisements Column 3

Thames Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 14661, 15 April 1915, Page 7

TEAFiGHT gTiQUEi'TE.

HINTS FOR THE' MASCULINE GUEST.

Afternoon tea-parties may be divided into the formal and the informal and the difference is se€n in the style of invitation sent out. In the fbrnier case the hostess issues a card, stating that she will be "At Home" between certain hours j on such-and-such a day, the reci- j pient's name being written in the j top left-hand corner. This must be replied to. in the third person, thus : "Mr. Blank has" much pleasure in accepting Mrs. Dash's kind invitation for (such and such a date)." When the tea-party 'is informal, the hostess writes in the first perse n, something after this fashion : "' Dear, Mr. Blank,—l should be very please! if you would come to tea on, etc.," and you must similarly reply : -'Dear Mrs." Dash,—l shall be delighted to come to tea, etc." CLOTHES TO WEAR. For the forma 1 "'A.t Home" you should wear frock-coat or morningdtess, though the dark lounge suit say, blue serge or dark grey, will not be out^ of place ; but for the informal tea-party tweeds are not only permissible, but better than more formal attire. Whether the function is formal or informal, leave your hat, overcoat, gloves, stick, or umbrella in the hall, handing them to the servant. If you are escorting: ladies, there is some difference in the method of sn-no-nceincnt. If iycu aye with your wife 1 or your sister 'you thrald tell the maid ' Mr. and Mr;-. :o a vh." On the other hand. :;t" v.ho la.lies are merely friends or acquaintances, they sho'.iitl be au:vr need first, . e.g., .'''Mrs. and Miss Asterisk. Mr. Dash. In any case, tk- 4 [adies, of course. precede you into ;i the dra-v i ng-ro om. At one time it was customary in these circumstancjs for the lady to enter on the gentleman's arm. GREETING YOUR HOSTESS. Shake hands with your hostess first, next with any members of the household, and-then wilh auyona you know—that is, if they happen to bo near you,- for nothing is more awkward than a hand-shaking tour o? the room. ■ Introductions are not necessary at a tea-party formal or informal, end you are quite at liberty to sit do .mi beside a strange lady and begin talicing to her. When drinking your fca, cup anli saucer must be held in one haul, and not placed on a table, though you may put them down when not actually drinking. A small plate for eatables is often supplied nowadays. - Ihis may be balanced on your knee or placed on a convenient table. If no plate is provided, keep your bread and butter or cake in the saucer. ! At a small tea-: arty you should rise whenever a lady enters or leaves i the room, and if you happen to be near the door you should open it for her. You should not,'however, offer to see a departing lady downstairs un- ' less your hostess specially asks you to do so. THE PARTING GUEST. In regard to your departure, don't i go the moment after fresh visitors I have arrived. To do so might loo'c I like trying to avoid them. Naturally, this remark applies only to small affairs, for at a big "At Home" you have a constant stream of arrivals, while at such a gathering it is not necessary to say good-bye to your hostess at all, unless you happen to come face to j face with her on your way out. _; I At an informal tea-party, however, i don't stand up to no alee your | adicux when your hostess is in the 1 middle of a conversation with someone else or is busy pouring tea or ; anything. < '. Having started to go, don't change your mind about it, unless you 1 now your hostess very well, and that she really means her polite regrets and nvitation to stay a little longer.

BAD HANDWRITING.

One of the best stories of tad handwriting is told of Joaquin Miller, the "'ppet of the Sierras." A certain club desired tc have the poet address the organisation at an annual affair, at which an elaborate programme had been prepared. The secretary addressed a letter to Joaquin, telling him of ths purpose of the gathering, and requesting his co-operation. In due time there came an answer from the poet. -: It was in his own hand and covered (our pages. In vain the secretary .pored over the manuscript. He turned it over to the president, the board of directors and the members, in turn, but all failed to decipher the scrawls. The question before the club .was, "Has Miller accepted or has he declined?" The secretary finally took the matter into his ovra hands, and addressed the following note, to, Miller: "My Dear Mr. Miller,—Your letter received, but I have been unable to determine whether you have accepted or declined our invitation. If you will be present on the date mentioned, will you kindly make a cross on the bottom of this letter ? If it will be impossible for you tc appear will you kindly draw a circle ?" In due time thj letter ca-.nc lack, but the secretary <ould not decide ■whether it was a «ross or a> circle.

For Cb'ldifen's .Hfickiub ,Cough at -Woods'. Great Peppoinniiiit Cure* 1? 6d, 2is 6d.-rd^rt.