Volume Ii Part 13 (1/2)
We are going to tell you about a dance held recently in the home of a social leader in a typical small town. Everyone of any consequence whatever attended, and the occasion proved one worthy of remembrance in the social annals of the town. There were perhaps one hundred and fifty women and one hundred men. Three rooms in the hostess' home were thrown open into one huge ballroom. The dancing began at eight o'clock in the evening--rather early for the city, but unusually late for this country town.
To a visitor from so gay a metropolis as New York, the simplicity of the women's dress was a pleasing change. They were in evening dress, yes,--but a strangely more conservative evening dress than that described previously for the formal ball. There were no sleeveless gowns, no elaborate _decolletes_. Taffetas, chiffons and silk brocades were developed simply into gowns of dignified charm. One did not notice individual gowns, for no one woman was dressed more elaborately than another. This is what everyone should strive for--simplicity with charm and a complete absence of all conspicuousness.
[Ill.u.s.tration:
Photo by George H. Davis, Jr. Courtesy of the _Woman's Home Companion_
THE PUNCH TABLE
This is a very pleasing form of refreshment during the summer months]
Fas.h.i.+on has been condemned. Women have been ridiculed for their ”extreme tastes.” As a matter of fact, civilization owes dress a great debt, and women have an inherent good taste. And both these facts are forcibly proved at the country dance, where simplicity and harmony of color combine to give an effect that is wholly delightful and charming.
The lesson we might take from this is that simplicity in dress has more beauty and effect than elaborate ”creations.”
CHAPTER VIII
GAMES AND SPORT
WHY THE WORLD PLAYS
All the world loves to play. In childhood, it is the very language of life. In youth, it vies with the sterner business of young manhood or womanhood. When we are older and the days of childhood are but a fading memory, we still have some ”hobby” that offers recreation from our business and social duties. It may be golf or tennis or billiards; but it is _play_--and it is a relaxation.
It is a fundamental law of nature that we shall play in proportion to the amount of work we do. The inevitable ”tired business man” finds incentive in the thought of a brisk game of golf after closing hours.
The busy hostess looks forward to the afternoon that she will be able to devote exclusively to tennis. The man or woman who does not ”play” is missing one of the keenest pleasures of life.
But there is an etiquette of sport and games, just as there is an etiquette of the ballroom and dinner table. One must know how to conduct oneself on the golf links and at the chess table, just as one must know how to conduct oneself at dinner or at the opera. And in one's play, one must remember that touching little fable of the frogs who were stoned by boys, in which the poor little creatures cried, ”What is play to you is death to us.” Be kind, unselfish and fair. Do not sacrifice, in the exciting joyousness of the game, the little courtesies of social life.
Remember Burns' pretty bit of verse--we cannot resist the temptation of printing it here:
”Pleasures are like poppies spread, You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or, like the snowfall on the river, A moment white, then melts forever.”
FAIR PLAY
Nothing so quickly betrays a person as unfairness in games. It hardly seems necessary to mention it, to caution anyone against it. Yet so many people are p.r.o.ne to believe that the courtesies we observe in social life, may be entirely forgotten in the world of sport and pleasure--and that with them, we may forget our scruples. ”Cheating” is a harsh word and we do not want to use it. But what other word can be used to describe unfairness, to describe selfish discourtesies?
”Fair play is a jewel.” This proverb has been handed down to us among other old sayings of the Danish, and Denmark loves its games and sports as few other countries do. It was here that the game of Bridge first had its inception. It was here that the game of ”Boston” first won prominence. Many of the games and sports practiced in America to-day had their origin in Denmark. And it was that country that gave to us the golden proverb, ”Fair play is a jewel.”
We could fill a complete volume on the ethics of sport, but it is not necessary to elaborate on the subject in a book of etiquette. When you are on the tennis courts or at the billiard tables remember only to observe the same good manners and courtesies that characterize your social life--and you will play fair.
INDOOR GAMES
Bridge and chess have long been the boon of puzzled hostesses. These indoor games offer a wealth of interest and enjoyment to visiting guests, and in social circles they are frequently resorted to, to make an afternoon or evening pa.s.s pleasantly.
Every woman who ever invites people to her home should know the etiquette of indoor games. It is also necessary that she herself know how to play the games, as it will be expected that she join her guests.
At a recent silver wedding the host and hostess evolved the novel idea of spending the evening playing bridge with the guests and offering silver prizes to the winners. Everyone enjoyed the evening, and it saved the hostess the trouble of worrying about providing satisfactory entertainment.