The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-06
SMART HOUSES IN RURAL ENGLAND.
Free and Easy Life Where HOstesses
Are Inclined to Be EAST"

A prominent feature in modern En-
glish life is the free-and-easy character
of what are known as smart houses,
where the hostesses are young, with
lots Of go" and inclined to be little
fast. Names had better not be men
toned. Only those who thoroughly ap-
preciate sport" are invited, and there
is a sort of 'honor among thieves"-to
be discreet; but these things do leak out
sometimes. These are the houses where
husband and wife are never invited to-
gether, but where every opportunity is
given for either of them to meet COM
panions Of the opposite sex who are
thoroughly interesting to them. The
hostess of course has to put up with
her lord and masters presence
in the house, but that does not interfere
with her enjoyment, as she has her own
suite of apartments. including a dining
room, where she and her chosen male
guest occasionally dine EN- tete tete,
their absence scarcely being noticed by
the jolly party in the family dining-room.
Girls are never invited to these merry
houses, for that would involve mammals
or chaperons; horrible thought! The
young married woman is the predom-
mating element. She is the rival even
OF her own sisters and sometimes of her
own daughter, monopolizing the atten-
tions of the eligible young men, just as if
she could get married again and again.
The men like her; she has no mother
bothering about; she will talk on any
subject; she is pretty and better
dressed than girl; she pets her ador-
ers, calling them by their Christian
name; she is altogether irresistible and
deluged with invitations; her luggage
takes a van to bring from the station,
for she is expected to wear a different
dinner and teadress every day, besides
afternoon costumes, tailoT-made dresses,
skirts, jackets, cloakS Of every kind,
riding habits, shooting dresses. boating,
tennis, golf costumes, bonnets, hats and
above all, suitable dresses for skirt and
serpentine dancing. The men also do
not go unprovided with the means Of
making themselves attractive-dinner
jackets in different shades Of velvet are
much worn instead of the dress coat,
and silk sasEes of pale hue are taking
the place Of waistcoats.
The tips which are expected by serv-
ants i'm houses of this class are e1OrmC us
rs to the keeper. a couple of soVereigns
TO the butler. with lesser sums to the
coachmen. footmen and housemaids
make a visit almost as expensive as a
hotel bill. Very late hours are the rule.
1 wasebing taken over a very smart house
not long ago, this time as a tourist, when,
on asking the housekeeper if her master
and his guests did not greatly enjoy liv-
ing and roaming about i'm the garden
anu mans VI sum a DtduAAAbl OlA pidCNs
he replied: "Well, they don't see much
of the place by daylight, they have got
10 sleep some time, and they sit up
nearly all night playing cards, so don't
come out of their rooms until nearly tea
time" Nap, poker. baccarat and some
times roulette are INDUCED in, large
sums are lost and won, and rather I'M
seemly differences of opinion are eX-
pressed.
valses and polkas are voted slow.
slxirt-dancing, with a get-up of white
lace petticoats, accordian-pleated silk
skirts and black silk stocking having
taken their place. On moonlight nights
a pillow fight through the passageways,
In light and airy costumes, is a lark
in great favor. The playing Of a fire
hose on an unwary newcomer is voted
rare fun" Dressing-up as ghosts or
other monsters, so as TO give a fright,
are also much in vogue. At any rate,
there is no dullness at these sort of
houses. The fun may be in questionable
taste, but taste, like everything else
nowadays, is a matter Of opinion.-Lon-
don correspondent N. Y Herald.