Men’s Wear.—­The man wears the ordinary business suit for travelling, sack or cutaway.  He wears in the country in the morning a suit of flannel, tweed or cheviot, a straw hat and tan shoes.  His shirt may be of striped madras or linen, with a white collar.  The cutaway coat is correct for ordinary afternoon wear, with a white waistcoat, white shirt and four-in-hand tie.  This takes the place in summer of the frock coat, which is the formal day wear.  He will seldom, if ever, have occasion for a dress suit at a week-end visit in summer.  Of course, the size of the party and the gayeties in which one will participate have a bearing on the dress question, but the tendency is for men’s dress to be more comfortable and less formal in summer, especially in the country.

[Manners and social customs 713]

The duties of A hostess.

The woman who is entertaining guests must remember two things:  that she must not neglect them, and that she must not tire them out with too much attention.  There is a “happy mean” to be attained, which is the climax of pleasure and comfort to both.

One woman makes her visitor feel that “the domestic veal” has been slaughtered in her behalf.  The usual manner of living and habits of life have been put aside that she may be “entertained.”  Elaborate meals are planned; there is a straining after hospitality which defeats its own purpose and makes the visitor uncomfortable, because the hostess has so manifestly incommoded herself.  The fussy hostess puts too much endeavor into her entertainment.

On the other hand, there is the hostess who announces her intention of regarding her visitor as “one of the family,” “making no fuss” on account of her being in the house.  This sounds much better than it works out in actual practice.  Unless we are prepared to modify our routine in accordance with our friend’s pleasure and convenience, at least to some extent, we should not invite her.  We do not ask people to our houses to make them more uncomfortable than they would be at home.  A visit is in the nature of a holiday, or vacation, to the visitor; we are to see to it that she is deferred to and efforts made to please her.

The Visitor’s Comfort.—­It is hospitable to consult her tastes in the matter of food.  It is uncomfortable for both hostess and guest if the principal dish at dinner is something the latter dislikes.  Nor should we ask her to conform to the family breakfast hour if we know she is unaccustomed to early hours, or is very much fatigued.  In that case it is best to say that the early breakfast is a family necessity and that she will not be expected to appear at it, but may have her coffee and toast in her own room or down stairs at the hour at which she wishes to rise.  This, though it may necessitate the preparation of a tray to be sent up, is really a convenience to the hostess, who is then left free to attend to her domestic duties.  As some one has said, “It is not hospitality to ask a guest to your rooftree and expect her to find sufficient delight in being there and doing as you do.”  Very often she would be far more comfortable at home, physically at least.  Remember your object in inviting people is to make them happy.  Unless you are willing to make some sacrifices to do this, do not invite them.