Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-09
Engiish Country Life.
TCCr San ErnDcison Neva TAztar I

My hest was wealthy baronet, NJ. F., pro-
prietor OF several large estates IN various coun-
ties. LAST year he entertained me near Tun-
bddee, In Kent famous for Its springs, OF
Which you Will resd SO long ago as when the
Il mans lnyased Briton. This year IL was In
lovely historic Warwickshire. teeming with oo-
l.cts OF Interest TO the scholar and admirers OF
nature hesutiiied by the art and labor OF cen
Iutlts The guests were notified 10 arrive on
MONDAY evening at O'Clock, and 10 leave oa
FRIDAY The Old baronial mansion IS dist Ant
TWO miles from the railway station, where we
aouhd carriages awaiting. on arriving the host
Cordially. and led the way 10 a large
reception room, where tea was served Ia fhe
RusSlan mode, aid We were told that the din
ner hGur Is O'CLOCK. There are ~ suits OF
apartments on the second and third noors and
the very courtly housekeeper escorted ,Is in
turn TO those assigned. Promptly at the desIr-
mated hour ali assembled In the draS Ming
rooms. and without special introduction treit
each other as acqua1ntances- Such Is the Fee
masonry OF Egghsh society.
When the butler opens tue doors, the host as
signs the gentlemen TO the ladies. who walk
ain-in- arm into the banquet hall. B1hiad each
guest stands Servtt 6 man, silent as a
mummy, 10 brave livery OF gold and scarlet, or
purple; pumps with large silver buckles, silk
stockiI gS ard gaTters, powdered hair. fle
GiGLer Is OF 10 or IL courses. with appropri ate
wines: Ali is social and chatty for an hour add
a lralf, when the ladies Else and retire 10 tIe
drawing rooms. The gentlemen are then served
With stronger wines and. after half an hour or
so, join the ladies in music, cards. an cOayer-
saIon Tea AID bonbons are saved AT II
O'Clock the ladies' so IN their apartments aud
he gentlemen, IL Inclined, TO q cosy or IN /.
housekeepers sitting room, where they sno ,e
AND have greg. This may run into late hour,
and II sCmeumes happens that gentlemen ar
afdP at the breakfast taeie. There Is 10
fixed hour for the morning repast-fro II
to io.and no servants sop aoout the
ing tn mseives and LADIES'. In most part, from
the sideboard. The arisfocracy and middle
classes do not eat much at their first meal
eggs. toast mullins. cold meats, pastry aud tea.
rarely coffee. That over with, it Is liberty hall
Each diverts as inclined. First there is re ld-
ing and answering letters the London GailieS
and various magazines and reviews OF the day;
the library. picture gallery, hot houses and
stables. The gentlemen generally so shooting
i'll the preserves, where the peasants beat up
the game-partridges, pheasants, hares Rabbits,
ETC, and they stand In the opening killing
without much skill In craftsmanship. IL they
stay after O'Clock, the servants bring lunch
con, or they return TO the mansion ana Join the
ladies' who have not gone driving or horseback
riding, at very generous lunch. Our upper
class English cousins are famous trenchermen,
and astOnish you at the races and picnics with
their prowress at eating and drinking.
The guests conduct themselves as IL at home:
Without restraint or ceremony; the host AMI
hostess never fntrude or Worry, leaving you iL.
perfect freedom to pursue your humor. Every
BODY Is supposed to know best how to enjoy
himself. Acquaint inces formed thus are ike
those OF the bail re on. and do not warrant their
renewal: OF course, friendship and tntimacies
often come of them. During the day. all are In
plain dress to be laid aside at the sacrament
the dinner hour. With small variations each
Gay Is but the repetition OF the Proceedings
occupation, and to those not to the manor
born somewhat monotonou5. CharadeS. i'm
promptu tableaux, reading, ETC., help to pass
The evenings. On Friday afternoon, the guests
bic away to their homes, for few days rest,
before renewing al another country house the
same diversions In Old times IT was the Gus
tom 70 fee literally the servants on leaving. and
fmpecunfOus guests OF wit ana celebrity were
sometimes furnished by their hosts with money
Tor that use. But that is past, like many OF the
olden fashions OF merry England and guinea
or two handed TO the butler for distribution
SufeeS