Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
AN ENGLISH "AT HOME

seryatism lead also toward extremes In any line
OF conduct which. after due elaboration, has
been fixed upon as the only rational course for
a reasonable being to pursue. visit to Eng
land, even OF the shortest duration, serves TO
to As dfs English People ae
the slowest to give up old customs for new, SO
are they the people who, having finally adopted
fashion, carry 1t to its greatest lengths or, to
use a vulgar expression, never leave it till it is
run into the ground. Paris. the law-giver of
fashion, tetegrGp'ls the latest styles of America,
so greatly Is novelty desired in our own land.
England, on the contrary, considers these same
styles for six months or year, and then adopts
them In modified FORM A little later, and
nigh and low, rich and poor, are everywhere to
be seen attired In garments or hats which are
Identical in FORM EngliShmen as well as Eng
nshwomen subject themselves to the same mar
row rules. Because the future 'chfef parsonage
OF the realm chooses to adorn his countenance
with beard every young man OF fashion fol-
lows SUIT Even conversad9 5nr mas ~ us 1
strong expressions are now tabooed by fashion
So that where his father and grandfather would
have given relief to their feelings by the most
emphatic of expletiveS, the EngiiShman OF to-
day smiles restrlinedly. and-holds his peace.
"A description, therefore, of any one English
similitude holds good In entertainments as In
dress and manners
Ten O'Clock Is the hour generally mentioned
On the cards OF invitation. These receptions are
often preceded by dinner party, and as eight
O'Clock is the usual dinner hour in a fashionable
London establishment the hostess cannot well
later. The library, or front room on the ground
floor is used as the cloak-roOm. Here one finds
five or six maids in black gowns and bright-rtb-
bOned caps ready to assist in the removal Of
wraps and adjustment of trains. This accom-
pliShed, a gorgeous being in livery standing at
The entrance-doOr, leads the way into the dining
room at the rear. eve are of course speaking
of the usual London residence, known in this
country as an English basement house.) Behind
the table, which is spread for supper, stands the
butler with several of his '.underlingS," ready to
Serve the usual cup Of coffee or tea to each ar
rival. Thus invigorated for the fatigueS OF the
evening, the guests ascend the broad staircase,
spread with soft Indian carpeting. At the first
landing they are met by another domestic, to
whom In confidential whispers they communi-
cate their names. He, preceding them to the
landing above where stand hostess and host,
announces these names in Stentorian tones The
usual words OF greeting are exchanged. and the
newcomers pass on into the already crowded
rooms.
The first interest is naturally in the surround
ings. There are two drawing rooms, one large,
one small, with a conservatory attached the
floors are covered with plain blue velvet carpet
ing, frightened here and there by Indian rugs.
The walls are hung with fine pictures and old
family portraits while rich velvet draperieS
hang at the broad windows. EaSy-chairS and
small chairs OF all shapes and styles are scatter
ed about, and flowers are everywhere. The dec
Grafton OF the mantel is particularly admirable.
The broad draperied shelf Is covered with tiny
crystal vases, each OF which holds single rose.
These slender tlower-holders OF varying heights,
being placed as close as possible to one another,
the effect produced is that of a bank of 70 SeS,
doubled by the reflection of the mirror at the
back While here and there the sparkle OF the
crystal glintS in the hundred canie-light5 like
Gew-dfopS in the sun.
The toilettes are as brilliant as the rooms. The
hostess wears Louis QuartOrze costume of blue
silk, with oVer-dreSs OF white groS grain. and
COllarette of diamonds which has decorated
many fair lady of her house in successive gen.
eratiOns, and which was originally worn at the
gay and wicked court OF Charles III. Near by
Stands lady in white brocade over quilted
yellow satin petticoat the square neck OF her
dress outlined by cord of diamonds. She is
talking in laBguid fashion to a handsome woman
beside her, who wears magnificent mauve silk
brocaded with many -hued flowers. The wife of
prominent artist, whose face, with its low
Greek brow and regular features is constantly
appearing in her husbands pictures, is attired in
heavy white silk, falling around her in long
straight folds. Her golden hair, projecting in
classical fashion beyond the forehead, Is bound
by wreath OF white flowers; q golden serpent
above the elbow clasps the round white arm.
Looking over any English aSsembly-concert,
reception or ball-One can almost invariably dis
tnguiSh the feminine members of one family by
the similarity of their costumes. 1t is the gen
eral custom for sisters to dress alike One may
be blonde and the other brunette-they will both
wear blue bonnetS; one may have red hair and
the other brown, but pink silk dresses Will be
deemed equally appropriate for both. SO when
two young girls. dressed in white silk gowns of
exactly the same design, stand by the piano
later Later IN the evening and sing several pretty
one race" is patent to every eye.
AS has been said, nothing is lacking in the
perfection of detail and arrangement. Hand
some rooms, handsomely decorated for the oc-
caSiOn, brilliant lights, many colored tOiletteS,
and flashing jewelS-eyerything to delight the
eye is present. But alas for those who seek
farther! A recent number of HuI.pef's Magazine
contains story to this effect. An American
diplomatist, newly arrived in London, was asked
what he thought of Madame Tussaud's. .'Well,
1t struck me very much like the ordinary
English party" was the candid reply
No comparison could well have been happier
"A stranger in the land. who has been fortunate
n EpCyltch md rantl ION in
their own homes en- Jdneile, to chat with them
over the hve-oclock cup OF tea, or to accompany
them in walk over the moors, will 1nvolun-
tarily exclaim. ''What charming people! so I'M
affected, so genial, so pleasant OF speech" But
let our stranger be placed in the midst of num-
Der OF people of this same class assembled to-
gether at an evening party, and in five cases out
OF six he will find himself in an atmosphere of
mental paralysis. They stand about in groups,
uttering an occasional commonplace, or sit
against the wall, sometimes speaking to their
neighbors, oftener staring into vacancy. There
seems to be no freedom OF circulation about the
room, no prOmenading, seldom an exchange of
place or partner and consequently none of that
Interchange OF thought or repartee SO charac-
teriStic OF an American assembly OF the same
nature. Il am so glad we are to have some
Americans at our at home,"' said an English
Lady to friend from over the water; sit will be
sure to go off well then. You Americans don't
mind walking about or speaking to somebody
across the room, II you like, whereas we English
are afraid to let our voices be heard"
One reason for the dizziness of these recep-
uldy DC lOunu III ItcU GndG lnUrOQQC-
lions are considered had FORM" Unfortunately
however, those who are responsible for the i'm
pOrtatiOn OF this French idea failed to introduce
with It that grace and cordiality Of manner
which renders French men and women at home
and at their ease In whatever society they
chance to find themselves. The duty of an Eng
ISh hostess seems to consist in moving freely
among her guests, speaking few words to each
person in the course Of the evening. And yet
doubts must sometimes cross her mind as to
whether the whole duty of entertaining be then
fulfilled a. am so afraid you are having what
In America you call "a stupid tme,'" said the
hostess OF this night in question, sinking into a
low chair, and looking anXiouSly about her.
There was room filled with good material go
Ing to waste fer want of a presiding genius to
bring the different factors together and conSOl-
date them into a harmoniZed whole. A vague
realization OF this fact seemed to weigh upon the
spirits OF Our hostess. One longed TO offer her
the suggestion that few judciOus introductionS
should be made but a recollection OF the rigidity
of English conventionalism interposed and stified
The impulse.
RecitationS and music by professionals and
amateurs vary the mOnotony of these evenings.
French recitationS have been very much In
vogue of late, owing probably to the interest
Which the performances OF the Coincide Fran
caiSe have excited; and very charming these
recitations are. The actress steps before the
company, and unaided, without scenery or sur
roundings succeeds in presenting to her au-
lence finished SDarkliDp and gracefully oct ad