Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-20
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.


fAs Cordiality with which Quests Are
Rsceived-Making Themselves st Home
On arriving, the host and hostess grees
us at the door very cordially, and leaA
the way TO spacious reception room.
where refreshments are served in true
English style. We were then told thas
the dinner hour was O'Clock. There
are fully fifty rooms on the second and
third floors, and the very courtly house
keeper escorted us in turn 70 those as
signed US. Promptly at 8 O'Clock all
meet in the drawing rooms, and without
special introductions treat each other o.
acquaintance. Such is the freemasonry
of English society although much pre-
fer our American custom Of general in
Productions, which commits one 10 moth
ing in future meetings and yet for the
time being puts one on velvet with ones
neighbors. When the butler opens the
doors. the host assigns the gentlemen 10
the ladies, who walk arm in arm into
the banquet hall Behind each guest
stands a serving man, silent as a num-
my, in fine livery Of gold and purple
(sometimes scarlet; pumps with large
silver buckles, silk stockings and garters,
and powdered hair. The dinner is often
of twelve courses, and appropriate wines.
There is no fixed hour for the morn
ing's repast-from to l0-and no serv-
ants stop about the breakfast room, the
gentlemen serving themselves and ladies,
in most part, from the sideboards. The
4. -. L..
much at their first meal-eggs, toast,
mullins, cold meats, pasties and tea,
rarely coffee. That over, every one. is
free. Each spends the time as inclined
The host and hostess let their guests do
just as they please. You may be sure
that your host will not put himself out
! for you in the least, unless you expressly
desire it. Everything in the house goes
on as usual, just as IL you were not there.
But, per contra, the house and all that is
in it are practically yours while you stay
within its walls. Your host puts bis ser
wants, his wine cellar, his lsrder, often
his horses and his game preserves, abso-
lutely at your disposal. You are at lib
erty 10 act, and are expected to act, pre-
cisely as II you were in your own house.
You can order a sandwich, bowl Of
broth, glass Of wine or spirits whenever
you please; you can announce your in
tention of going of shooting the very
morning after your arrival, and guns and
dogs are waiting for you. 1t is the com
monest occurrence for men, arriving in
the afternoon al friends house, 10 send
their dress suit down TO the laundreas 10
be pressed before dinner. In England
guests are not only told to make them
selves at home," but are actually allowed
10 do %.
Each, then, does as he or size plesses.
In the first place, there is reading and
answering letters, Of which letter the
English woman is especially fond. Ehs
writes well and she writes soften-whether
abe has anything Of moment 10 say or
not and oftentimes q dozen letters are
exchanged over an invitation TO an in
formal dinner, and these letters are
usually 20 long and always 30 bright and
chatty that they not unfrequently tax
heavily the travellers time and mental
powers that she may be equally courteous
and brilliantl
The dailies and various magazines and
reviews OF the day are literally distrib-
uted in the sitting room, while visits TO
the library, picture galleries, hot houses
oonservatories, gardens, park and stables
form part Of the daily occupations. The
gentlemen generally 60 shooting In the
preserves, where the peasants beat up
The game-partridges, pheasants. bares.
rabbits, etc, and they stand In the OPEN
ing showing their skill in marksmanship.
II they stay after Q O'Clock the servants
bring luncheon. or they return 10 the
mansion and Join the ladies who have
gone driving or horseback riding, ct q
very generous lunch.
The guests, l repeat, conduct than.
selves as il ut home, without restraint or
ceremony; the host and hostess never In
trude, or worry, leaving you in perfect
froedom 10 pursue your bumor Eycrv-
body Ia supposed TO know best how 10
snjoy himself. Acquaintances. formed
thus are like those Of the ballroom, and
DO not warrant their renewal: Of course.
friendships and intimacies often come OF
Them. During the day all are In plain
dress, 10 be laid aside at tho sacramental
dinner hour, for although you are lcft
undisturbed 10 follow the bent Of your
own VIII and pleasure during the day,
and ersakfazi n any hour you please, Il
de ngueur To be at hand in regulation
toilet a. soon a. dinner Is announced-an
hour after the dreszing bell . S,unSsd-
Charndes. impromptu tablesur, readings,
music, etc, help % pass the evening. :,
MIA Frank L~nlis IN Kansss city'