Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
FRENCH COUNTRY HOME.
Features of French Domestic Life

French country hospitality differs In many re-
spects from English. More is made of each
guest, and he or she is allowed greater personal
liberty. Nobody is bound to come down to an
early breakfast The host and hostess, says the
Truth, are not expected to show themselves be-
fore the bell rings at II or half-past II for de-
jeuner. II you see a lady muff1ed up walking in
the grounds you are not to get in her way unless
she comes towards you; and in walking with her
you are not to offer your arm. The reason she
Is to be avoided until she shows herself sociably
| disposed is based upon the suppositlon that she
while the femme de chambre is preparing the
war paint and arranging the artificial treSses
run out with capeline thrown on her head to
enjoy the dewy freshness Of morning: In France
acted upon by millionaireS who invite you to their
country Seats 1t is that in accepting the invita-
ton you do him the greatest honor. You may be
poor as Job, and known to be &c. without In the
slightest degree ceaSing to benefit by this fic-
ton French society, when seen at its best,
practices equality. We all rise early here; the
mornings are very fine, and there are delightful
walks and drives in all directions We have a
private omnibus with seats at the top, and seven
| of the chars-a-banc, in which the Emperor Ma
| poleon's guests used to drive to the Compiegne
| meets. These vehicles were bought at the civil
| list sale, with many other hunting properties
| of the Third Empire. Overnight excursions are
projected and debated. In the wild freshness of
| morning they are carried out, and back we come
with keen relish for the dejeuner, which is
served at little oval tables In great dining
| room. When there are from thirty to forty per
sons to be served, this is more Sociable and jolly
| than ample board. Talk can be brisk and lively
without becoming noisy. Mere acquaintances
become easily good deal more. If your visa
Wis is charming and sympathetic, he gives out
what Is most taking in the inner man. He Is
less constrained than if exposed to the scru-
tiny of two scores of eyes. AT a long table
he could not talk at his ease about LIE Petit Abbe
for instance and repeated a verse, making the
tune felt of Geltne Chaumont's dron and some
what naughty song. If the lady to his right was
fond OF VOltaire the lady to the lett might be a
devout believer in the Sacred Heart, and men
| tally cross herself when anything so awfully
| profane as LIZ Petit Abbe was topic Of light con-
Versaton At those little tables birds of feather
do flock together. There is the same concert
pitch; and where there is opposition 1t does not
Induce discord. The pheasant shooting in the
| low copses in which pheasants are bred and
fattened is followed by gay dinners 1t takes
nothing out of the sportsmen who blaze away at
the birds which keepers drive before their guns.
| Partridge shooting Is eXecrated by the ladies',
who dislike the fattguing tramptng through
turnip fields and stubble A sportsman who re-
turns home with bag of this game is also such
| bad company. His hunger appeased bed is all
| he thinks of, and at dinner he has not word to
| cast TO fair neighbor, though in the morning
| he was at one OF the little tables her admiring
| and devoted slave.