Saturday, September 29, 2012

Entertaining in the Old Regime

From the Recollections of Baron de Frénilly:
 There were many agreeable houses where hostesses received either constantly or on fixed days. And what superior talent they showed—talent all the greater as it was less apparent! To captivate their guests—to direct, prolong, resume, or abridge a conversation—to have a look and a word for everyone, to introduce a third person into a familiar chat by means of a glance or a word, to put him or her into relations with others, to make them known without either mention of names or an introduction—what a charming, delicate art! (Read entire post.)
A late supper.
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2 comments:

The North Coast said...

Charming painting. Would you know who the artist is?

elena maria vidal said...

I am afraid I don't!