ot chocolate.

The good breeding learned, the opportunities of impressing upon
children the beauty of self-denial and politeness, and of teaching
them to dispense, and to receive hospitalities, and to restrain that
tendency toward favoring certain playmates, so strong in childhood,
will more than repay for the trouble of preparing the feast. Never
permit the party to extend to late hours, and never overdress the
little folks. White is always suitable for girls, and jacket suits for
boys under the age for long trousers.

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Christenings, Confirmations and Graduations.

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Announcement Cards are frequently sent out to all friends immediately
upon the arrival of a little heir or heiress. These cards are
variously worded. One seen by the writer was as follows:

ARRIVED: In Los Gatos, Sunday morning, November third, eighteen
hundred and ninety-five, FLORENCE WESCOTT. Weight, ten pounds; blue
eyes and sound lungs. She sends greeting to all her friends.

A simpler one would be: GREETING: EDITH MAY TOUCEY, November 1, 1895.
Weight, 9-1/2 pounds.

These cards received (or even if they are omitted), the lady friends
and acquaintances call and leave cards with kind inquires or send them
by a servant. Gentlemen do not call, but they are expected to see the
happy father and inquire after mother and child.

When the mother is ready to receive friends she sends out cards to all
that have called "with thanks for kind inquiries," written beneath her
name, or issues invitations for a candle or christening party.

The Christening.

The baptism or christening is performed according to the rites of
whatever church the parents may be members of. If the ceremony is
performed in church, personal fancy has very little play, though it is
almost a law that flowers shall cluster about the place where little
ones are brought for dedication.

If the occasion is to be further celebrated by festivities at the
house they may take whatever form is most agreeable. When the
christening is held at the house and guests are invited, it is
customary to defer the ceremony until the mother is ready to take the
part of hostess; usually until the child is a month or six weeks old.

Invitations are issued for an afternoon or early evening reception.
They may be written or engraved, and are issued in the name of both
parents, thus: MR. and MRS. JAMES GRAY request the pleasure of your
presence at the Christening o