The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-29
OUR ENGLISH COUSINS.
The Cordially with Which Guests ire
Eeceived-Makin: Themselves AT Home.


On arriving. the host and hostess greet
us at the door very cordially, and lead
the way to a spacious reception room,
where refreshments are served in true
English style. We were then told that
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 TO those as
signed us. Promptly at o'clock all
meet in the drawing rooms, and without
special introductions treat each other as
acauaintances Such is the freemasonry
of English society. although much pre-
fer our American custom Of general in
Productions, which commits one 70 moth
ing in future meetings and yet for the
time being puts one on velvet with ones
neghbors. 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 a serving man, silent as n mum
my, in fine livery of gold and purple
sometimes scarlet; pumps with large
silver buckles, silk stockings and carriers,
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 i0-and 10 serv-
ants stop about the breakfast room, the
gentlemen serving themselves and ladies,
in most part, from the sideboards. The
aristocracy and middle classes do not eat
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 viii not put himself out
for YOU in the least, unless YOU expressly
desire it, Everything in the house goes
on as usual, just as if YOU were not there.
But, per contra, the house and all that IS
in it are practically yours willie YOU stay
within its walls Your host puts his ser
wants, his wine cellar, his larder, often
his horses and his game preserves, abso-
Iutely at your disposal You are az lib
erty to act, and are expected TO act, pre-
clsely as ii YOU were in Your OWN house.
You can order a sand vich, bowl of
broth, a glass of wine or spirits whenever
YOU please; YOU can announce your IN
tentlon of going off shooting the very
morning after your arrival, and guns and
dogs are waiting for YOU Il Is the COM
moncst occurrence for men, arriving IN
the afternoon at friend s house, TO send
their dress suit down 10 the laundress 10
be pressed before dinner. la England
guests are not only told TO "makc them
selves at home, but are actually allowed
to do so.
Each, then does as he or she pleases.
In the first place, there is reading ana f.
answering letters, Of which letter the .
English woman is especially fond. She F.
writes well and she writes often-whethcr f.
she has anything of moment 70 say Of .
not. and oftentime5 a dozen letters are .
EXCHANGED over an invitation 10 an in- .
formal dinner and these letters are .
usually so long and always so bright and
chatty that they not unfrequently tax .
heavily the travellers time anC mental .
powers that she may be equally courteous .
and brilliant.
The dailies and various magazines and f
reviews of the day are literally dlstriD- .
uted in the sitting room, while visits iO
the library, picture galleries, hot houses, F.
Conservatives, gardens park and stables
form part OF the daily occupations. Tie
gentlemen generally 50 shooting in the
preserves, where the peasants beat uy
tho game-partridges, pheasants, hare',
rabbits, etc, and they stand I'M the OPEN .
ing showing their skill in craftsmanship. .
Ii they stay after O'Clock the servants .
bring luncheon, or they return % the .
mansion and Join the ladies who have ?
gone driving or horseback riding, az q .
very generous lunch.
Tho guests / repeat. conduct them
selves as if at home, without restraint r f.
ceremony; the host and hostess never ia- .
trudc, or worry, leaving you in perfect .
freedom TO pursue your hUmor. Every .
body is supposed TO know best how 20 .
enjoy himself AcQuaintancls formed F.
thus are like those Of the ballroom, and .
do not warrant their renewal; Of course. F.
friendships and intimacies often come If .
them. During the day all arc in plain
dress, TO be laid aside at the sacramento .
dinner hour, for although YOU are left
undistlubed to follow the bent Of your
own will and pleasure during the day,
and breakfast at any hour you please, It /
is dc iigueur to be ~ hand in regulation
toilet as soon as dinner Is annOunced-an
hour after the dressing bell is sounded. |
Charades, impromptu tabieaux, readings,
music, etc, help to pass the evening -
Mrs. Frank Leslie III Kansas City