tess.

A hostess does not necessarily advance to receive her guests, simply
rising and moving forward a step in order to shake hands (if she
should so wish), remaining standing till they are seated, and, if
possible, keeping the latest comer near her side. Gentlemen should
always permit the lady to make the first advance in the matter of
hand-shaking. It is her prerogative.

As the guests depart, the hostess does not accompany each one to the
door, but rising, remains standing until the guests have quite left
the room, when it is to be supposed they will be met by a servant. In
country towns the hostess usually accompanies the guest to the door,
if there are others present, excusing herself to them and remaining
out of the room but a moment.

Entertaining Callers.

Where there are several guests in the room at once the hostess should
try to make the conversation general and pay equal attention to all,
save that for a few moments, the latest arrival engages her more
intimately, or some guest of great intellectual or artistic genius may
be honored among the rest, as a lion of the hour.

If you should chance to find, at once, in your reception room, two
friends with whom you are upon equal terms of intimacy, treat them
with the most absolute impartiality, being demonstrative toward
neither, for there is too much truth in the saying that "there is
always a feeling of jealousy on the part of each, that another should
share your thoughts and feelings to the same extent as themselves."
There are other occasions where the same care against wounding their
feelings should be observed.

If there should be any preference with regard to seats, one suggestion
is that a lady should be seated on a couch or sofa, unless advanced in
years, when she should be asked to accept an easy chair; an elderly
gentleman should be treated in the same manner. If a young lady should
be occupying a particularly comfortable seat, she must at once arise
and offer it to an older lady entering the room.

Should the hostess, upon the arrival of occasional visitors, be
engaged upon work requiring any attention, she must at once relinquish
it; but should it be light, ornamental, and not at all confining, she
may continue it, if so requested. It would be well, however, to drop
it at intervals, lest it appear as if there were more interest in the
work than the visitor.

Refreshments are not offered to visitors unless it is a regular
reception day w