| OCR Text |
Show j H ryrlHILE - England 1b pre-eminently the ifflfVJ home of garden parties, Americaus gBpff -navc lon8 aince found it to bo one of Kr' tne n06t enjoyable forms of hosni- tality. At no other function cm to great a noon tea. or. reception, "and" what is a garden party but a compromise between the two, with an nl fresco netting? Newport, the beau ideal of summer resorts, conducts ita garden parlies on the plan of afternoon after-noon teas, and for them the invitations are sent out months ahead. When the. weather is incle ment,, the entertaining is done within doors, or on the piazza. For a formal party, the invitations should be engraved and arc issued in. the name of the hostess, or independently, or together with the host. Inst year several debutantes were introduced intro-duced to society at late summer garden parties, and everybody thought the departure charming with nature's picturesque' background. ' ' .FORM OF INVITATIONS - " Here' is one form issued in the namcrof "'the hostess.,-, ........ ....... 3 Mrs. Willard.Cromby -Livingstone , ',r . , requests the pleasure of . . . p company on' Tuesday afternoon, ' ' July the thirtieth, ' - . - from four .until seven o!clock. ' . ' i ' ' ., Garden party . " Mnplp.,-liade' " Issued by. host and hostess: ' . ." ';n!iclirMr6. Horace.' Trent Clrifcwald ?t . . request -the pleasure of . T Mr, and Mrs. Percy Longstreth'a '.. ' ' company on Tuesday, the thirtieth of July Garden Tarty jVcstminslor . . 1 For a less elaborate entertainment, partaking more of an informal function, a hostess mav use1 her own visiting cards, writing under hef uame Garden pari), August Thirtieth', from fout until seven o'clock. When only a few friends are invited, a hostess may write notes to each regarding the service of the trains and trolleys and those which the guests are most likely to take coming and going! . A note of acceptance or regret should be nailed as soon after the invitation has been received ns is convenient, . the, sooner the bet-.ter. bet-.ter. . Some people mail a visiting card.' so that it will arrive on the day of tlie party, but it is a great deal more courteous to send a written reply, no one misses anything by the simple act. MAKE THIS GROUNDS ATTRACTIVE Tin's entertainment may be planned on a simple sim-ple or elaborate scaleand one is quite as enjoyable as another. An unpretentious suburban or country coun-try home with pretty grounds takes on a most attractive and festive air under these circumstances. circum-stances. Indeed,- where there is not an air of formality many people find the occasion infinitely mure enjoyable. , I he grounds should be made to look their best, and the grass and shrubbery put, in a first-class condition.- Rugs thould be spread over the-lawn, with its furnishings consisting of chairs, settees, tables, etc. Hammocks should swing from under the trees, and vases of flowers placed on the tables'. A more inviting appearance is given to the giounds-whon several pieces of furniture are grouped together, inviting littlo parties of the guests to assemble there. When quite a sizable list of invitations arc sent out, then camp stools are necessary. About! the first floor and piazza, easy chairs should be placed, and both made attractive " with cut flowers flow-ers and growing plants. .Rugs should vbc spread on -the piazza steps. " A WORD TO THE GUESTS A room is set apart for the women who may tare to dash a little powder on their noses and arrange trifling details of their toilettes. A mem ber of the family or servant, conducts the guests to the apartment, as the latter arrive. A room is also reserved for the men of the party, with man servant in charge. Tho hostess, and also the women guests, wear their most stunning toilettes, hats, and parasols. The hostess may suit her fancy whether she wears a hat or simply balances a becoming sunshade sun-shade over her. head. This important matron receives her guests outdoors on the lawn and us-usally us-usally under a tree. I en wcr Hie regulation afternoon dress or white flannel, silk shirts and- straw hats. The I latter style of apparel is usually affected, except for formal parties. After emerging from the house the guests are conducted or directed io a part of the grounds where lite hostess is receiving. After greeting nmdamc, the guests are free to wander about, chatting with friends and indulging in any of the diversions offered, partaking of refreshment when they so' desire. THE MORE MATERIAL SIDE In England refreshments arc served under a marquee in the grounds, and in that inclement cliimix where rain and sunshine follow in quick succession, nobody seems to care whether a stunning stun-ning toilette has been ruined or not. Small tables and chairs arc grouped over the lawn, where, the guests may sit together in merry lit(le parties ami partake of refreshments. Canopied Cano-pied stands are often erected or rustic houses serve as temporary buffets. As the hours are usually from four until seven, nothing substantial substan-tial is offered. Of course all the dishes arc cold, and among them wo may include cold pates, ham, tongue, ice-cold jellies, consomme, salmon dressed with green saucc.patc dc foie gras, salads, sandwiches, jellies, charlottes, ices, cakes, claret or fruit punch, champagne, iced tea and coffee. Tho buffet is spread under the trees, or awning or on the piazza, and should be tastefully laid jJ and decorated with flowers. A hostess will have H a much easier time if her fine linens and'ser- H vice are not employed, for they will be assuredly IH the worse for wear after the party. Caterers' H prices for the table equipments are very reason- H able, and surely the price is worth contentment H At less .formal functions, where the party is gotten up without the services of a professional H caterer, it is a pretty custom to invite several H pretty young girls to assist in 'ton or IH serving punch, which the liicn t Ay p;i.-s H to the guests. Several untitle . -V-dressi. jH with immaculate white caps am. joua, should jH also assist in serving. FORM! OF DIVERSION Newport sets the pace for weird and original canticoes gotten up for the delectation of society's amusement, and at no other time is there a bet- ll ter opportunity for the gcufus of Harry Lehr or others of the same set to exercise their bizarre notions than at garden parties. Outdoor theatricals aie very popular both here H and in England. Music recitals arc favored, too, H and what draws a more appreciative audience than a gypsy camp or a magician? Tournaments for tennis, croquet; and the new fl old games, discus and archery, . are having tie-mendoiis tie-mendoiis vogue. A fancy dance in which several attractive young women participate is an agrce. H able A subtle charm" lingers about an evening garden fete that is found lacking in one given duriii" IH tho afternoon. Possibly it is the forabrencsa of tho background in. contrast to (he silvery rav3 jH fair Luna casts on the whole, especially pn the H delicate draperies of the women, the soft, mellow glow of the Chiucse lanterns and the ecotic fra-grance fra-grance of the flowers, that gies the scene m fuiry-like icauty the witchery of night. MAiiJORIE. |
