th the
pleasure of the visitor. Who does not remember those delightful
parlors where the guests dropped into pleasant conversational groups
as by magic, and contrast them mentally with those other chilly
apartments where a sort of mental frost seems to settle over one's
faculties and incapacitate them for use. Much of this may be avoided
by a judicious arrangement of chairs and couches, just where people
drop naturally into easy groups, or, for the time being, surround
their hostess.

Propinquity is a great incentive to pleasant conversation, for there
are few people that can talk the pretty nothings and sparkling
witticisms, whereof parlor conversation properly consists, across
space to people stranded against the opposite wall. Therefore let the
hostess, who would have her symposiums remembered with delight, see to
it that she has an abundance of chairs, both easy and light, easy ones
for the refreshment of the weary in body and light ones that may be
quickly moved when the spirit moves toward some other group.

A clever woman, to whom all social arts were long-solved problems,
once said that she always observed how the chairs were left in a
drawing room where several people had been sitting and put them in the
same position next time. A group near the door where the casual caller
will naturally drop into one and the hostess into another, without the
least effort, will be placed in the best possible position for a
little chat. Fulfill these conditions and your drawing room will be
often filled and the fame of it will go abroad.

Formal calls, as a rule, are at best but a duty performed that brings
a satisfaction in itself, but it sometimes happens that, as a reward
for our well-doing, some word may be said, some friend may be met by a
happy chance that is like a gleam of sunshine on a cloudy day.

[Illustration]

INVITATIONS FORMAL AND INFORMAL

[Illustration]

There are certain rules to be observed in the writing of invitations
that cannot be transgressed without incurring a just suspicion as to
the degree of one's acquaintance with the laws and canons that govern
our best society. For instance, Mrs. John Doe issues invitations for a
ball or evening party; these, if issued in her own name or in the name
of herself and daughter, or lady friend, would, very properly, find
them "at home" on a certain evening. Should, however, the invitations
be sent out in the name of herself and husband, then it is tha