EDITOR'S
TABLE .
EDITORIAL CHIT- CHAT. CARDS, WEDDING-CARDS, ETC.- Our fair subscribers will GIVING CROQUET-PARTIES is an art in itself. Informal thank us, we know, for giving them occasional hints on the ones may be got up at a few hours' notice. These must be changes in fashion, in relation to cards of invitation and small, however and the guests must be selected with tact; other matters of visiting etiquette. This season the phras for unless in a large party it will not do to bring people ing of cards is slightly altered. People begin to drop the together who do not thoroughly harmonize. A few re- "At Home," as old-fashioned, especially in invitations to freshments, in these impromptu parties, are quite sufficient. wedding receptions, and other very formal occasions. The Too much in the way of eating and drinking, on such occa- invitation formula for a ceremonious wedding, therefore, sions, is in bad taste. But if the party is intended to be a differs a little from the style which has hitherto prevailed. large one, the preparations of every kind should be different. The square note-sheet, with the white or embossed monoThere should be regular cards of invitation, and these should gram of the initials of bride and bridegroom, is still rebe the same as those for a dance, viz., " Mrs. —— , at home," { quired, the collocation of phrases being the same as forwith this difference, that, instead of " Dancing" being writ. merly. The monogram appears at the top. About one-fourth ten on them, " Croquet and Tea" take its place, and the down from the top is the word " ceremony." A few lines hours named are " three to seven o'clock," or whatever below appears the name of the place. Still beneath, the other hours are preferred. The numbers invited for cro- name of the street. Still beneath, on another line, in what quet only, are from twenty to fifty; but this is a matter part of the street, as between Broadway and Sixth Avenue, depending on the pleasure of the hostess. During the after- or between Walnut and Chestnut streets ; and finally, at the noon two tables are laid out by the servants, either under foot of the page, the day of the ceremony. Within this sheet the trees or the veranda, but usually where the process of is the wedding reception-card issued by the bride's parents, preparation can be carried on without much observation. which, instead of reading " Mr. and Mrs. - at home," One long table should be for tea, coffee, biscuits, and cakes with date, hour, and number of street, as formerly, is in the of various kinds, also plates of white and brown bread and form ofa script invitation. Thus: "Mr. and Mrs. butter; the other, smaller, for champagne and claret cup in glass jugs, small tumblers in abundance, and a few wine- Request (or desire) the pleasure of your company at the genthe glasses ; and to this table it is generally found that wedding reception of their daughter." tlemen of the party resort instead of to the former one. To Date, hour of the day, and number are in Roman text as these refreshments , in the case of a very large party, may before ; and a second card announcing the reception days of flowers, case either biscuits. In the bride is inserted. The insertion of a card, bearing the be added ices, sherry, and tastefully arranged, should on no account be omitted. name of the mother of the bridegroom, may be noted also Should the numbers exceed fifty, dancing also usually goes as an innovation which has made its way rapidly, and is beon, as it is not often that more than four games of croquet coming quite customary and proper. A new form of cards of announcement has also made its are played at the same time on one lawn, and as these would only occupy thirty-two guests at once, it is desirable appearance, and, from its exceeding simplicity, is fast winto provide some amusement for the rest of the company. ning popular favor. It consists of a single card, instead of We may here mention that eight in each game is the usual the two tied with white satin ribbon, with the name of the number, but some prefer only six, as making a shorter bridegroom prefaced with " Mr. and Mrs.," and the maiden game. A sofa here and there on the lawn is very desirable, name of the bride in the right hand lower corner. The also chairs placed together in groups of three or four in name of the bride is preceded by nee-the card running different parts, and there should be one or two near the simply: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Mason, game, as they are always acceptable to those who are waiting for their turn to play, and for these the most shady (Nee Emma Wilson.) Avenue. Fifth 1001 spots will be best. When croquet is the only amusement, most of the ladies wear short costumes; but at larger par- A note-sheet accompanies, and the envelope, with white ties, where there is dancing, dresses with slight trains are or embossed monogram, is used. But even in anniversary admissible, (especially in white figured piques,) and these weddings, it is now the custom to omit the phrase " At are looped up in front over a blue, rose, or mauve camlet home" -issuing instead a regular note of invitation in petticoat, with a rosette to match the petticoat. Hats are engraved script. Among some of the most fashionable people, it is now the universally worn, and taken off when dancing begins. When the announcement " croquet and dancing" is on the practice to omit the initials of the French phrases formerly card, many young ladies wear light silk, or white, clear so popular, and to write instead, in pencil, plain English, muslin over a colored petticoat. Some do not join in both such as " good-by," " we go out of town," " condolences," amusemements, a choice being always at their option, but " congratulations," etc., etc. This is a very sensible reform. if intending to do so, they provide themselves with black AN EFFECTUAL REMEDY for the insect tribes that infest our satin shoes for the dancing. It is better, if you owe many civilities, to return them all, at once, by a large party for gardens, such as worms, bugs, etc., etc., is as follows:-Mix both croquet and dancing; and these day-parties, in sum- In three or four gallons of warm water one pound of black mer, and in the country, are much to be preferred to even- or white hellebori, and add to this eight or ten pails of water. Apply to the infested trees, bushes, or vines, any ing ones, In England they are called Lawn Parties. way you please, but a syringe is best. The cure will be immediate and certain. We have tried it on apple-tree worms, IT 18 NOT TOO SOON to begin to get up clubs for 1870. gooseberry and currant worms, and also the rose louse. Every year we receive letters, in which the writers say they could have raised larger clubs, if they had begun carMORE FOR THE MONEY, and of a better quality of its kind, lier. A specimen number will be sent, gratis, to every is given in this Magazine, than in any one published. Whatperson wishing to get up a club. ever other magazine you take, take " Peterson" first. 230
