The morning call., 1891-07-05

save that each occupant of the castle has
the exclusive attention of his or her own
servant, in addition to the general service
OF the castle, always on call at any hour of
the day or night.
Whatever number of guests may be found
at any one time at these great establish
mentS-and except on special occasions they
Will not exceed dozen or twenty-ln pro-
vision for the cuisine, in complete stalls OF
servants, aad In the plumber OF servants EN-
ployed, they are at all times, during the &C.
cupaucy of MILFORD or mlilady, or either, as
well prepared for entertainment OF the high
est as the least number. That is one of the
penalties of being a nobleman. But to IL
lustrate details of the ordinary regime, we
will suppose that d zen or q score of guests
are already gathered at the castle and the
invitations read for "a week"
The usual hours for meals are: Break
fast at to 10, luncheon at 2, tea at 8, din
ner at s, and supper at from IL o'clock until
midnight. Whether guests have arrived be-
fore luncheon or before dinner, etiquette
requires that all shall gather in the draw
lng-room for introductions, This is abSo-
lutely the first and last of formality among
those titled people during their sOJOurn.
Whatever the difference in rank. none what
ever Is thereafter recognized. The story
books do not put 1t this way, but the fact
remains. 1t is the unwritten and 1nviol ,ble
law OF such occasions, that while mere
adhered TO, for the time being tie Often
slve distinction of precedence is wholly
abolished. Socially and ethically while
you are his lordship'S guest you are
neither his superior nor inferior. Other
wise you would not be there. Not
only is this true, but there can be only two
possible occasions for extreme dressing.
These are at dinner, where of late years
everything savoring of full dress has been
tab0oed, and in the event of ball being
tal. ~
vited
There is probably no other place in the
world where guest for week is so much
the master of lis or her own inclnations
Etiquette and form make no demands what
ever upon you. You are as free to follow
your own whims. either for rest or activity,
as though chartered in glen-Side cabin.
Remain up all night; sleep all day; never
appear at meal save the first luncheon or
dinner, and there Is
NONE TO WONDER, QUESTION OR CRITICIZE.
The entire motif OF the hospitality of the
British nobility is in short, the digulfied but
complete indulgence Of the guest in rational
activities, simple pleasures or complete re st.
There are many sources of amusement.
There Is certain to be one or more grand
meets" where the ladies' join in the eXcit-
ing hunt across country to the music of the
yelping hounds. Often the occupants of
near castles join in these. Then there will
be return sport CT like nature, and delicious
hunt breakfasts q" are given. For the gem
tlemen exclusively there will perhaps be a
pheasant Stout on the grounds, or the
more sportsmanlike pleasure OF grouse
shooting on the m0ors. The ladies often
jim in fishing parties 10 some distant
stream, when lunch is served in the open
wood beside some spring. Even when
there is no riding after the hounds the
pleasant roads ana lanes swarm with merry
caYalcadeS of horse women and men, dis
taut HIS of paStla n r his
torlc abbeyS being thus visited. The
drives are the finest i'll the world, and
most brilliant Intercourse is had between
castle and castle. Within and without the
great establishment Itself there is always
provision for almost every imaginable sport.
Billiards and ten-pims are as great favOrites
with ladies as with gentlemen. There is
always Il superb cricket field. frequently
football matches are gOtteniup between the
lordly old boys. The tennis courts are no.
where eXcelled. Nearly every castle
demesne has its well-stOcked streams of
trout and its reaches of Natural or artificial
lakes Tor sailing and rowing. But in every
feature of all This high-cldss life at the Brit
ish nObleman'S house, there Is an utter alb
sence of theatcic show, so inSufferable in
the American lorder9's home. AS before
stated, save at dinner and at balls.
you will find lordly frames almost
exclusively hung with cid clothes.
Whatever IS comfortable is in
form. Inc DaSgy pdJdina lOr rOOm-ionng-
ing; the ancient slipper, cap and jacket for
the lawn, the lake ami the tennis court; the
lOosest and most ancient of toggery for the
breakfast-tt able, and, among ZEAL uoblemen,
most faded, spotted and ragged Old rink
jackets for the meet" are the rule rather
than the exception, despite those whose pens
cannot but run riot in portrayal of British
high life. The truth is that despite the im-
mense establishments. the great retinues
and the enormous general outlay as peuance
10 rank and station, the real hone-life of
tile British nobility IS an accusative contrast
i'll all essentials to comfort and sterling en-
teriainment TO the hot-hOuse home life aud
grotesQue social writings of many of our
own people of equal wealth.
*CopyIfgAt 1891. EDGAR L. WAKEMAN.