Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-06-03
En-lish Country Life.
THE DAILY ROUTINE At THE MANOR House
OF An Mp.

THE DAILY ROUTINE At THE MANOR ii"t
OF AN M.P.
Nv hos; was wealthy baronet, VI. r.,
proprietor of several large estates in vafl-
Gus counties. Last year he entertained
me near Ton bridge, i'll Kent, famous Tor
its SPRINGS. of which YOU will read So
long ago us when the Romans invaded
Briton. This year it was IN lovely ms
toric Warwickshire, taemmG with Objects
of interest TO the scholar and admirers oil
nature bcautiicd by the art and labor "i
centuries. The guests were notli'cd to
arrive on Monday evening mt O'Clock,
and to leave on Friday. The Old baron
iol mansion is distant two miles from the
railway station, where we found carriages
awaiting. On arriving the host and host
ess greeted us ut the door very cordlally Y,
and led the way to large reception room
where tea was served in the RUSSIAN
mode. and we were told that tho dinner
hour is s O'Clock. There are 45 suits OF
apartments on the second and third floors,
and the very courtly housekeeper escort
ell lis iii turn to those assigned. prompt
" at the designated hour all assembled
in the drawi ig-rooms, and without src-
cial introduction treated each other MS ae-
ouointances. Such is the Free Masonry
of English society.
When the butler opens the doors, the
host assigns the gentlemen to the ladies;
who walk arm-in-arm into the banquet
hall. behind each guest stands serving
man, silent as n mummy, III DtaTe livery
of gold and scarlet, or purple pumps
with large silver buckles, silk stockings
and carriers. powdered hair. The dinner
il of 10 or II courses, with appropriate
wines. All is social and chatty for an
hour and i.als, when the ladies rise and
retire TO the drawing The gentle
men are then served with stronger wines,
and. after half in hour or so, JON the
ladies' in music. cards and conversation.
Tea ana bonbons are served. At eleven
o'clock the ladies' go to their apartments,
and the gentlemen, if inclined to cosy
or the housekeeper's sitting-room, where
they smoke and have grog. This may
run into late hours, aud 1t sometimes
happens that gentlemen are tardy at the
breakfast table. There is no fixed hour
for the morning repast- from s to 10
and no servants stop about the breakfast
room. the gentlemen serving themselves
and ladies', in most part, from the Side
boards.
The aristocraey and middle classes do
not eat much at their first meal-egSs,
toast, mullins. cold meats, pastries and
tea. rarely coffee That over with, 1t is
liberty hall Each divcrts as inclined.
Firstly, there Is reading and answering
letters the London dailies. and various
magazines and reviews of the day; the
library, picture gallery, hothouses and
stables. The gentlemen generally go
shooting in the preserves, where the peas
ants beat upthe game-partridges, pheas,
ants, hares, rabbits, et':.-and they stand
in the opening, killing without huoh skill
in Workmanship. If they stay after
o'clock the servants bring luncheon, or
they return to the mansion and JOIN tho
ladies' who have not gone driving or horse
back-riding. ut very generous lunch.
Our upper-class English cousins are
famous trcnchermen, and aslo,ish you
at the races and picnics with their PROV
ess at eating and drinking. =.
Tho guests conduct themselves rs II
at home without restraint or ceremony
the host and hostess never intrude or wor-
~. leaving You i'll perfect freedom to
pursue yoac humor. Everybody is sup
posed to know best how 10 enjoy himself.
Acquaintances formed thus are like those
of the ball -room, and do not warrant
their renewal of course, friendships and
intimacies often come of them. During
the day, all are in plain dress, to be laid
aside Mt the sacrament-the dinner hour
With small variations, each day Is but
the repetition of the preceding's occnpa-
ton, and 10 those not to the manor born
some what monotonous. Charaded, m
promptu tableaux, readings, etc, help
to pass the evenings. On Friday afternoon
the guests HE away to their homes for a
few days rest, before renewing at another
country house the same diversions. In
old times it WIS the custoiA to fee liberal
" the servants on leaving, and impeounI-
Gus guests of wit and celebrity were some
times furnished by their hosts..with money
for that use. But that is past with many
of the olden fashions of merry England,
AMI q guinea or two handed to the butler
for distribution suilices.