Part 20 (1/2)

Savouries, when possible, should be eaten with a fork, but occasionally a knife also is of imperative use.

=As regards sweets=, _compotes_ of fruit and fruit tarts should be eaten with a dessert-spoon and fork, as should those dishes where juice or syrup prevails to the extent of rendering a dessert-spoon necessary. But whenever it is possible to use a fork in preference to a spoon it is always better to do so.

Jellies, creams, blancmanges, ice puddings, etc., should be eaten with a fork.

As a matter of course, young ladies do not eat cheese at dinner-parties.

CHAPTER XV

EVENING PARTIES

=Evening Parties= are styled receptions or ”at homes” according to the number of guests invited. In official and political circles they are invariably styled ”Receptions,” but when given on a smaller scale in general society they are styled ”At Homes.”

=Invitations= to evening parties should be issued on ”at home” cards.

The name of the person invited should be written at the top of the card at the right-hand corner, the words ”at home” being printed beneath the name of the lady issuing the invitation, the day and date beneath the words ”at home,” the hour beneath the date. The address should be printed at the bottom of the card.

When music is to be given it should be mentioned on the ”at home” card, thus, ”Music.”

The hour varies from 10 to 11 o'clock; in private circles 10 or 10.30 is the usual hour; in official circles 10.30 or 11 o'clock.

When a foreign royal personage is expected, or a foreigner of distinction, or a personage possessing public interest, the words ”To meet Her Serene Highness Princess D.,” or ”To meet Count C.” should be written at the top of the invitation cards.

When a reception or ”at home” follows a dinner-party given by the hostess, it is not usual to provide any special amus.e.m.e.nt for the guests. But when an ”at home” does not follow a dinner-party, it is usual to provide some sort of amus.e.m.e.nt for the guests, such as professional vocal or instrumental music.

The guests are expected to arrive from half an hour to an hour of the time mentioned on the invitation card, although it is optional when they do so.

=Receiving the Guests.=--The hostess should receive her guests at the head of the staircase, where she usually remains until the princ.i.p.al of her guests have arrived; while the host welcomes the guests in the drawing-room itself.

Receptions or ”at homes” usually terminate shortly before one o'clock, save on Sat.u.r.days, when the hour of departure is 12 o'clock precisely.

=Making Introductions.=--A hostess should use her own discretion as regards making introductions.

When a royal personage is present the most distinguished of the guests should be presented by the host or hostess. When a celebrity is present introductions should also be made; and as regards general introductions they should be made whenever the hostess judges it expedient to do so, and the princ.i.p.al guests when unacquainted should be introduced to each other when the opportunity occurs.

=Going in to Supper.=--The host should take the lady of highest rank in to supper.

When a royal princess is present the host should take her in to supper.

When a royal prince is present he should take the hostess in to supper.

(See Chapter V.)