“Dinner dances” have largely taken the place of balls, the latter having seemingly passed into the hands of clubs and assemblies or being known as “subscription dances.”  One must have a very large house, with ball-room, to give a ball successfully, so it is customary to engage private apartments at some fashionable restaurant or hotel, where there are accommodations for such an affair.

Invitations are formal, and of course engraved.  If a debutante is to be presented her card may or may not be, but usually is, enclosed with the invitation.  The patronesses of a subscription dance are entitled to invitations which they send to their friends, enclosing their card.  The word “ball” never appears on an invitation; its nature is indicated by “Cotillion,” the fashionable name for what was called “the German.”  The hostess or hostesses stand near the entrance to the ball-room, and should see that the guests receive a fair amount of attention.  The supper is provided by a caterer, of course.  Two orchestras, playing alternately, provide music; they are screened behind palms and other plants.  Balls generally begin about eleven o’clock, the hour named on the cards being half after ten, and everybody waiting in the hope that someone else may arrive earlier.  General dancing is in order until supper is served; afterwards the cotillion is danced.

At the dinner dance, the cotillion is preceded by a dinner, given by the hostess at her own house, or by several hostesses at some restaurant, where each presides over a table.  Dinner and subscription dances are much favored by the younger set, as the hostesses act in the capacity of chaperons, and the company is gayer.

To bid one’s hostess good night—­or good morning—­and express one’s pleasure in her entertainment is obligatory.

[Manners and social customs 723]

Garden parties.

Jupiter Pluvius apparently has a grouch against garden-parties, so often does he shake his sieve with deliberate intent to spoil the affair, which is after all, merely afternoon tea out of doors.  The hostess anxiously consults “the probabilities” as to weather, and if storm threatens must hastily convert her garden fete into an in-door function.  If blessed with a bright day, a garden party is a pretty affair.  The women wear beautiful light gowns, en train by preference, and their flower-laden hats and gay parasols contribute to the charm of the scene.

The garden-party is the special prerogative of the out-of-town hostess.  She has the lawn and the trees without which a party of this character cannot be undertaken.  Invitations may be formal, or the hostess may use her card with the hour and the date and “Garden Party” written in the lower left hand corner.  If guests from a distance are expected to arrive by train or trolley they must be notified of the train or car which will be met by carriages or automobiles she provides.