Notes of Invitation.

NOTES of Invitation are various in form according to the occasions calling them forth. Formal Notes of Invitation are invariably written and answered in the third person, except when the parties are most intimate friends, when a more familiar style may be adopted. The paper and envelopes used for notes of invitation should be plain, and of the heaviest and finest quality. Both paper and envelopes may have embossed, or printed on them, the monogram, initial, crest, or coat of arms of the writer.

For large parties they should be sent at least a week before the time appointed for the party, thus enabling, if necessary, the addressed time to procure a suitable dress for the occasion. For a costume ball or masquerade, two weeks is the usual time allowed for preparation.

Great care and precision should be observed in issuing invitations to dinners, and to avoid mistakes the date and hour should be given, and each should contain the name of the person for whom it is written; if large, printed forms may be used, with blank spaces for name, date and hour. A dinner party is generally more select than any other party, and one of the most delightful occasions of social life. A dinner invitation must always be answered, whether an answer is requested or not.

Notes addressed to persons living in another town or city, are of course sent by mail, like ordinary letters. When in one’s own city or neighborhood they are delivered by private messenger.

All invitations, except dinner invitations, are issued in the name of the lady of the house alone. Dinner invitations are issued in the name of the gentleman and lady of the house.

The invitation to a large party is similar to that for a ball, only the words “at a ball” are omitted, and the hour may be earlier. Such a note calls for full evening dress. If the party is a small one it should be indicated in the note, by inserting the words “to a small evening party,” so that there may be no mistake in the matter. If there is any special feature which is to give character to the evening, it is best to mention this fact; thus the words “musical party,” “to take part in dramatic readings,” “to witness amateur theatricals,” etc., should be inserted in the note. If there are programmes [sic] of the entertainment, be sure and inclose [sic] one.

The following French words and phrases, or their abbreviation, are often used on notes and cards, but English phrases are usually preferred:

R.S.V.P.—Repondez s’il vous plait. Answer if you please.

P.P.C.—Pour prendre congé. To take leave.

Costume de rigueur. Full dress, in character.

Fête champêtre. A rural entertainment.

Bal masque. Masquerade ball.

En ville.—E.V. In the town or city.

Soirée dansante. Dancing party.

The forms given here embrace invitations to dinners and social parties, balls, college anniversaries, receptions, and various other occasions:

Invitation to Dinner.

Mr. James H. Winters requests the pleasure of Mr. Walter W. Walker’s company, at dinner, on Wednesday evening, May 26, at eight o’clock.

Westminster Hotel.

Party Invitation.

Senator and Mrs. Logan request the pleasure of Senator and Mrs. Conkling’s company, on Thursday evening, June 16, from eight to twelve.

605 E. Street, Washington.

or,

Mr. and Mrs. John Reynolds request the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. George Carson’s company on Tuesday evening, November 15, 1879, at eight o’clock.

The Ferns.

Soirée dansante.

Carriages enter the east gate.

Answer to be sent to 135 Elm St.

An Invitation to an Evening Party (Full Dress).

Mrs. Sumner requests the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Benjamin’s company on January 16, at half-past nine o’clock.

225 Court St, Jan. 9^th.

An Invitation to an Evening Party.

Mrs. Randolph requests the pleasure of Colonel, Mrs. McClurg and family’s company to a small evening party, on Wednesday, September 28, at eight o’clock.

Music and Cards.

An Invitation to a Musical Party.

Mrs. Fairbanks’ compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick McQuigg, and requests the pleasure of their company on Thursday evening, February 16, at eight o’clock, to meet the members of the Apollo Club.

Invitation to a Croquet Party.

Dear George:—The girls talk of having a croquet party on Thursday next. Will you join it? We shall be delighted to see you if you can come. Mollie desires me to add, that you must play on her side, because then she will be sure to be one of the winners.

Sincerely, etc.,

WILL FREEMAN.

GEORGE H. DAVIS.

Invitation to Join a Picnic.

Dearest Jennie:—All being well, and Thursday a fine day, we and a few more friends are organizing a picnic party, for Highland Park. May we anticipate the pleasure of your company? Carriages start from Mrs. Lord’s at eight o’clock. A place will be reserved for you. Come.

BESSIE CLEVELAND.

Invitation to a Picnic—A Lady to a Gentleman.

Dear Mr. Raymond:—We have a few friends from Boston staying with us now, and as the country is looking very beautiful and the weather tempting, we propose to have a picnic at Elm Ridge on the 15^th inst. We have made all arrangements as to the means of conveyance; so if you are disengaged and will join us, call here at about eight o’clock. We have a vacant seat for you in our carriage. Do not disappoint us.

Very respectfully,

SADIE MORSE.

When date is not given in body of invitation, invitations must be dated, and address written in one corner; thus—

March 2, 1880.

Miss Randall requests the pleasure of Miss Northrup’s company to a small evening party, on Friday evening next, at eight o’clock.

No. 636 Adams St.

Invitations to balls—being of a public nature, and generally held under the auspices of some club or society, and directed by managers appointed for this purpose—should be as follows:

An invitation from the President is to be regarded as a command, and must not be declined, except for imperative reasons.

Presidential Reception.

The President of the United States requests the company of _____ _____ at the Reception of His Majesty the King ¹ of the Hawaiian Islands, on Monday evening, December 14, at nine o’clock.

Executive Mansion.²

Invitation to a Surprise Party.

Dear Fannie:—A surprise party is getting up, for Pansy. Join us, and be at our house by 7:30 P. M., Wednesday evening. R.S.V.P.

MINNIE GREEN.

For College and Society Anniversaries, the invitations are of a great variety of forms, and engravers almost exhaust their invention in making for them new and beautiful designs. They should be printed on a sheet of heavy, fine note paper, bearing at the top the monogram of the college. In this is generally inclosed a card bearing the name of the orators, or of the class, or they may be printed on one of the inside pages. The person sending invitation encloses his visiting card, to convey his personal compliments.

The form here given should be printed on a square sheet, with monogram of the college initials, and year of class.

It is usual in this country to date third-person letters or notes at the bottom, but they are sometimes dated, especially in England, at the top, as in the following form:

Admiral the Earl of Hardwick to Admiral Farragut.

13^th July, SIDNEY LODGE.

Admiral the Earl of Hardwick³ presents his compliments to Admiral Farragut ⁴, and begs to say that he is now resident at the above address. He is lame, and has a difficulty in boarding ship, or he would wait in person on Admiral Farragut. The Earl of Hardwick hopes that he may be able in some way to gain Admiral Farragut’s friendship.

Admiral Farragut, U. S. Navy.

An Invitation to Drive.

Will Miss Barnum do Mr. Daniels the honor to accompany him in a drive to the South Park this afternoon? 1465 Michigan Ave., Feb. 8 If so, Miss Barnum will please state what hour will be most convenient.

Grand Pacific Hotel, Monday morning, June 1.

Intimate friends may drop the formal and ceremonious style, and adopt that of a familiar letter—thus:

THURSDAY MORN., May 6.

DEAREST LIZZIE:

We are going to the Heights this afternoon for wild flowers. Will you oblige us by making one of our little party? If so, we will call for you at one o’clock. Do go.

Yours affectionately,

MOLLIE.

Please answer by bearer.

FRIEND SAYRES:

I shall have a few friends here to dinner on Friday afternoon at five. Will you oblige me by making one of the number?

Sincerely yours,

BRADLEY PERKINS.

Clarendon Hotel, November 10, 1879.

Invitations to children’s parties are written or printed on smaller sheets than those used for other invitations:

Master Frank Williamson requests the pleasure of Miss Millie Waters’ company on St. Valentine’s Day, from ten until four o’clock.

1465 Michigan Ave., Feb. 8.

or,

Miss Fanny Little requests the pleasure of Master Walter Dixon’s company on Wednesday evening, December 10, from five to ten o’clock.

763 Woodland Avenue.

The following note may be appropriately written in the third and partly in the first person, but it is rarely used, probably owing to the skill required in writing it. It is the only kind of formal note that admits of a signature:

First and Third Persons.

Will Mr. Wilde be so good as to favor me with a line stating in what manner and with what success I discharged my duties while serving as tutor in his family? Such a certificate, if as favorable as I have reason to expect, may be of great use to me in securing a desirable situation.

Hoping that Mr. Wilde will comply with my request as soon as convenient, I remain,

His most obedient and humble servant,

WILLIAM WARNER.
Philadelphia, May 16, 1880.

NOTE.—In closing a note written in this matter, it would not be correct to say, “Your obedient,” etc., as it would be changing from third to second person. See illustration on first page of this chapter.

Superscription.

CEREMONIAL NOTES of invitation should bear upon the envelope (the inner one, if two are used) only the name and title of the person invited: as, Mr. George Weston. This superscription should be written as on ordinary letters, a little below the center of the envelope. The word Present or Addressed, formerly written under the name, is no longer so used. In notes intended for a married couple, a distinction may be observed in regard to the superscription between those that are printed and those that are written. In the former your is used instead of the names; hence the envelope must be addressed to both; as, Mr. and Mrs. George Weston. In the latter the names are mentioned in the note; hence it is allowable, and generally preferable, to address the envelope to the wife only. If an outside envelope is used, it may have upon it the full address of the person to be invited.

Acceptances and Regrets are addressed like other ceremonial notes.

Personal and familiar notes are enveloped and superscribed in the same manner as ordinary envelopes.