The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-13
the Courage q, Plain Entertaining.

Some years ago an accomplished ulPio-
mate at Washington, the representative OF
a power not OF the first importance, ex-
pressed his regret TO friend that he could
not give dinners, because he said, my
government is poor, and L cannot Afford
it." The conversation occurred at the
proiuse and splendid table of rich and
courteous host, whose feats were OF great
fame, and whose invitations were ere
deniials of admission 10 the best society.
A young diplomatic comrade who sat by
heard the remark and smiled as he said:
"My government IL poorer than yonrs, and
am but lately arrived. But what Is di-
plomacy without dinners? and am going
10 give one. II will not be like this, but
the splendor is not an essential part q the
feast. | shall give n plain and cheap din
ner, 20 which invite you both"
His manner was gay, and his invitation
was gayly and gladly accepted, because he
was one OF the delightful men in Washing
ton. His colleague, however, who had
spoken first, shrugged his shoulders, and
said that for his part he couldn't do IL; he
could not ask people 10 come TO his house
and eat a poor dinner. mot 10 fast, }" re-
piled his friend; III didn't say poor din
ner, but plain and cheap dinner. hope
il will BIO good, nevertheless, although
thep may DO no baked carp or slowed
nightingalcs' tongues. But come and see.
The young minister Of the small and
poor Kingdom was one OF the most accom-
plished men In Washington. lie was
known 10 have corrected a justice OF the
supreme court in regard 10 q decision OF q
United States court in n western State,
and 10 have made the correction in En-
glish, which was a foreign tongue 10 him,
but in English 80 cxquisitely chosen and
urbancly expressed that the Justice was
probably unconscious of the modification
Of the correction. The young minister had
no foolish, fond reserves. "My govern
ment In poor, am poor, we ARE all poor
in my country" no said "and and my
secretary work like day laborcrs here in
Washington 10 acquire and report neces-
sary information TO my government" But
nobody was more sought; there was no
body whose coming more surely brought
pleasure 10 any circle than that Of the
| yonng minister.
The day of the dinner came, and n
palmer and pleasanter dinner was never
known In Washington. Every guest, from
the Secretary OF State and the English En-
voy to all their ncighbors at table, gave
every week, indeed, rcpasts much more
magnificent. But the simple dinner, adj
mirably cooked and served, without dis.
play Of table service, without the carp and
nightingnlos' tongues, but with the emily.
ening and inspiring charm OF the host and
the welcome variety Of plainness after the
luxurious extravaganza and ostentation OF
the usrnl dinner, was no fresh and delight
ful That the satisfaction and pleasure were
universal, and the skcptical colleague who
had thought great cost essential 10 n sue
ccssful dinner owned himself converted,
and the next month yenturcd upon sim.
liar feast, aud with the same success.
The courage OF the young minister Is al
most universally wanting in what Is called
good society. II the social entertainment
cannot bc as costly M that OF the house
hold which IL very much richer, il must
be abandoned. But In New York, as In
every great city, the most expensive aud
extrayagant ieasts and balls ara not the
plcasantcsi, and obviously II nobody is Ia
open his or her house who cannot dress rs
richly and offer m superb a supper IN the
chief Dives or Crwsus in town society will
bc reduced 10 the very lowest terms. The
Easy Chair would respectfully recommend
To dcbuiantcs and 10 their parents care
ful course Of reading ia Thackcray's Bool
OF Snobs, and also AN instructive paper b,
the SINE social philosopher upon A Iittll
Dinner at Timmins'. In his Early an,
lato Papers also there are most amusing
aud valuable troatiscs upon dinners Il
Paris.
II the pupils 10 whom these essays ar,
recommended can command the time
and would extend their study into othci
works Of the same author, their sense o
humor and Of the fitness Of things would
be NJ 10 REINFORCED tint thoy would no
shrink from asking their young friends Il
little dance or even 20 a little dinner
without the fnr Of social Gorgons an,
Chimcas dirn before their eyes.
Sophonisba's father h worth great man,
millions of dollars, and chooses 10 GIL hi
house with wonderful bric-a-bmc, and (,
wash II every morning In Tokay-shonl,
that be his fancy should Sophonis
has Young friends hesitate 10 ask her 10
merry dance. with no bric-a-bmc and n,
Tokay whatever, but plain mahogany an,
icua, salads and sandwiches II Is the fur
and tho cool rcircshmcnt after the dance
not the ormolu and the malachitc, and th
marvellous masses Of orchids, and the soil,
gold and silver service, and strawberries II
january and peaches In March, whicl
make the pleasure of the evening.
Besides, Il rich people entertain ~ the,
please, why do not poorer people entertain
~ they please? win YOU rcfuso 10 asl
your friends because yoI cannot sefy
oriolans upon Dr'sdon china and gold q
pour Schloss Johannisbepycr ior all ia
boys In Venetian glns., ms your ncighbo
docs9 To put truth in n homely way
You ao ~ good ~ he, II not as rich. an
why should YOU permit him unconsciousl
60 bully you bccauso he In richer than you
Mothers and fathers dcplorr tho extraya
gancc, tho late houn, ot society, the wantol
dressing, the utter vanity and ycxaiion, G
the social tpad-mill. And 10, q It'll
courage, little spirit, little good sens
In practice upon the part OF n very fc'
sensible persons, would relieve the prs
sure.
II Is plainly, however. very hard 10 com
mnnd that courage and combination. Blu
Il II ~ also In other aud morc importan
Affairs. II u universally agreed, for In
stance, that the excitement oi a Prvsidcn
tial campaign IN a very serious injury /
the business Interests ol the country. tn
. campaign Ia nccdl,s-ly prolonged, aud con
, scqucnily much morc expensive. Til
! remedy u obvious The two national CON
mittccs-a body 81 les than 100 mon
, could agrcc Ia call the nominating convcn
tons later, In September. perhaps, NJ 70
/, state elections. and the campaign woul
| i.e t,,.lu.ol IN two fnnuiha Wiih an I'M