Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/394

 LADY OF QUALITY 372 the best hotels having laid themselves out to provide suites -of rooms, including ball, supper, sitting-out, buffet, and retiring rooms. Refreshments, in such cases, are supplied by the hotel. Picture galleries in tlic West End are also available for the }nirpose, and there are suites of rooms to be hired for the evening, not only in the West End, but in the suburbs. It is important to have plenty of sitting-out places and good refreshments. At almost every dance there is a refresh- ment buffet at which cool drinks, such as champagne-cup, claret-cup, lemonade, and mineral waters are provided for the con- sumption of heated dancers. Supper is usually S2rved at 12 o'clock, and, though there is occasionally hot soup provided, it is more usual to have everything cold. In a succeeding article will be given a suitable menu for a ball supper. The giver of the dance must interview the caterer at least a week in advance, arrange With him the price per head, and settle the dishes accord- ing to her own taste and his capacity. This is the easiest way of giving a dance, the caterers supplying everything necessary, the table, the dishes, the glass, china, knives, forks, spoons, even the flowers. The number of catering firms in London increases with every year, the flat system having proved inconvenient for entertaining at home. In the country a dance is often given in the hotel of the nearest town, some- times in the town hall or other large building. The choice of programmes must also be made in very good time, giving the printers a margin of at least three or four days after the date on which they promise them. At any good stationer's a large and varied selection of dance programmes may be seen, and from these it is a simple matter to make a choice. The list of dances can be arranged to suit the taste of the young people ; the number is usually eighteen. On the other side of the programme the date of the dance, with the address where it is to be given, are inscribed, together with any little ornamental device that may appeal to the fancy. Some people prefer pure white programmes, others pale green, blue, or mauve. The choice of pencils has also to be made, and it may be suggested that long, slender shapes are more convenient than short, stumpy ones. The names or initials have to be written while wearing gloves, and a very short pencil is difficult handling in such circumstances. In all cases where the dance is not given in one's own residence the invitations run as follows : LADY SEPIA requests the pleasure of 's company on Thursdav, August 9th, at the Guildhall, Blyth Street. R.S.V.P. to 8, Windover Square. Dancing 10 to 2.30 Sometimes the dance is given by a number of people Who band themselves together as hosts. Very frequently names are too numerous to appear on the invitation card. If so, the Wording would be as follows : Lady Blank, Mrs. -, and other Members of the Committee request the pleasure of 's company on Wednesday, March Qth, at the County Hotel. R.S.V.P. to Lady Blank, The Laurels. Dancing 10 p.m. In the case of subscription dances the committee is usually composed of members of both sexes. Frequently a series of three or more dances is given, possibly with some reduction on the price of tickets if cards for the whole are purchased. The invita- tions in this case dispense with the form " requesting the pleasure." The announce- ments sent out would be something after the following fashion : " A series of Subscription Dances will take place at the Marathon Rooms on Thursday, the 9th: Thursday, thei6th; and Thursday the 23rd. 10.30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained of the Secretary, Mr. George Polton, 7, Greenfields Square. Vouchers must be obtained from one of the Patronesses whose names appear overleaf." One of the troubles of getting up sub- scription dances in town or country is that of keeping them free from undesirable intruders. This is why a rule is almost jij always made that a voucher shall be neces- ||| sary. It has once or twice happened that ™ the name of a lady of position has appeared as a patroness without her express permis- sion. In a moment of good nature she may have casually replied to a request in the affirmative, but such a vague permission as this should never be acted on. The consent of each lady in writing must be obtained. This is a matter of great importance. A county court case has been known to follow upon neglect of this precaution. Sometimes the ladies of a district combine in giving a dance, and occasionally the un- married girls give a spinsters' dance. If they are not too numerous, the names of all of them appear on the invitation card in the following form : Miss Smith Miss Green Miss Brown Miss Jones Miss Robinson Miss Black request the pleasure of 's company on Tuesday, January 20th, at the County Hotel. R.S.V.P. to Dancing 10 o'clock. Miss Smith, The Larches. The hostess, hosts, hostesses, as the case may be, receive the guests on their arrival | in the ballroom. Should the givers be too [ numerous to perform this duty conveniently, j a reception committee is formed, usually , consisting of nine or ten or fewer.