The Portland daily press., 1888-05-26
LIFE IN TIE COUNTRY.
Useful Hints Regarding the Enter
tainment Of City Guests.
[Mrs. sherwood in the n. Y. su

Mrs. Sherwood in the N. Y. SUM-
The country neighborbood in England
means collection Of villas, neighboring
great houses, where hospitality goes on
all the time, and where there is something
near which is of historical interest to see.
American country life must be very simple
in comparison, and it is for the most part so
lonely to the rich that they fOrsake their
country places and 60 to Newport or to
Mount Desert, where they find company.
Half the once historic houses on the North
river are forsaken. Half Of this objection to
living in the country comes from the servant
nuisance. The cook is always free to de-
camp on Saturday night. and the guests who
come down for Sunday may take care of
themselves as best they may. But many
young people still like the country and have
their country in the neighborhood Of all
city guest without much parade or expense.
Now, how to feed them? Every country
household should try to have vegetable
garden; for peas, beans, young turnips, and
salads freshly gathered are very superior to
those which can be bought. OF all the coun-
try Injuries fresh vegetables are the great
est. Especially does the tired city, delight in
green pease, the crisp lettuce, and fresh
strawberries. The large family Of salads
can make the plainest dinner delightful.
Given clear beef soup, slice of fresh fish,
or bit of spring lamb with mint sauce,
some green pease and fresh potatoes, a
potato salad with onion, and one has good
dinner. An egg salad is a very good dish for
hungry company, and cold ham on the
side-board will feed a multitude. A country
garden is a boon to tired city, particularly II
It Is one of the old-fashi0ned gardens, with
ltlacs, hOllyhocks, mignOnette and vi0lets.
And for country dinner the table should
be near window or windows, if possible.
In fine weather it should be on the yeranda,
looking into the garden. And if one must
dine in a small room, let the carving be done
outside, and all the greasy dishes kept
out Of sight. There should be side
board and side tables. relays of knives, and
spoons. Dishes and glasses not in use
carried out of sight A maid servant
should be taught how to carve and how to
serve the dinner neatly. Soup for country
dinner should be clear Julienne, or chicken,
or some light affair. The heavy soups are
not in order. If the lady of the house has
talent for cooking, she will have her soups
made the day before, so they will be free
from grease, and she should season them
herself, unless she has a good cook. 1t is
better i'll country house to have some cold
dish that Will serve as resource If the cook
should leave. Melton veal is an admirable
thing to fall back upon. 1t can be made on
Saturday and will last week. 1t is made
OF alternate layers of veal and ham, Highly
seasoned and baked In pastry, and is very
nice: NO lady should attempt to entertain
much In the country, unless she has good
cook and competent waiter, else it is but
slavery. There is a curious lack in America
Ihe dining rooms of country houses are gen.
orally small and not cheerfully furnished.
The more modern houses are improving in
this respect, and we have lately seen many
large room with good outlook, or with
nard wood floor or mating, or with Indian
rugs. The table should be round or oval.
The chairs of some hard wood with cane.
The table cloth of fine damask, smelling of
lavender. cOlOrpd cloths are permissible for
dinner and tea. The matter of lighting
rooms troubles people who live in country
neighborboods. If there is no gas, candles
are pretty, but very troublesome. The wind
blows the flames to and fro, insects flutter
into the flame, an unhappy moth seats him
self on the wick, and burning into an un-
slightly cadaver, makes gutter down one
side; the red paper shades take fire, and
there is endless trouble. Kerosene smells
abominably. However, a pretty carcel or
moderator lamp with transparent shade is
the best thing, and, now that they come with
long brass standards, are very convenient.