The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-10-25

some to them. They do not like th'
 method by which they are to be amused 1.-the fixed hours for pastimes, fol
 meals, for riding, driving. shooting and
 the rest. There Is a good deal In this
 from the point of view of Jaded and
 tired individual seeking perfect quiet
 and repose. and also that Of an idle
 man who likes his own way and to
 take his own time for amusing himself,
 The generality of men feel very much
 the same on this head-vlz., the liberty
 of the ubject"-although they, never
 theless, conform to the rules Of the
 house at which they are staying. and al-
 low themselves to be taken, say. to luncheon at the houses of people they
 only know by name in the meekest | manner If their hostess so WILLS It, when
 they would far rather be left at home
 to amuse themselves in their own way,
 whatever that may be, with favorite pipe for companion. Ladies, on the contrary, are not so averse 10 plans
 being made and carried out for their benefit. They readily fall into their hostess projects, and expect to go some where and to do something most days; but hostess knows from experience that these plans must include the com pany of one or two of the men of a party or the expedition will fall very flat, and the ladies, left to themselves. will not return In the most cheerful Of spirits. The modern hostess invites the guests with due regard to these ex- igencies, so as not to sacrifice the leis- ure of the one sex to the demands of the other.
 The writer of a recent article in a daily contemporary characterizes a country-house breakfast as first in- stalment of day of gorging." It Is quite true that many men do make good breakfast" but good break fast appetite is sign of a clear con- science and good digestion, and if a man eats two eggs, half a partridge, two or three rashers of broiled bacon, a muffin, and some marmalade, and passes by the numerous other break fast dishes set before him-dressed fish, broiled fowl, omelette, cold ham, cut lets, etc-he does not consider he has "done himself" too well, taking into &C., count the walking exercise that Is be- fore him.
 A looker-on at a country-house break fast would notice that a lady generally eats fish, either dressed or fried, and and either a wing of a partridge or broled fowl, or a. slice of cold ham or tongue, breakfast rolls or dry toast and butter, little honey or jam, and one cup of coffee or tea. In these days of early rising, walks before breakfast, and the greater portion of the day passed in the open air golfing, playing tennis or croquet, rowing and riding, breakfast appetite is a natural result; and the question so rife at the present moment, as to whether ladies do or do not eat too much, answers Itself in any case at a country-house party.
 From to 9:3O is the usual breakfast hour in most houses; occasionally 1t IS extended to 10, where late hours are kept in the smoking room. Again, punc- tuality at this meal is the rule in some houses; not so in others, where great latitude is allowed. As to guests shak- ing hands with each other, this cere- mony takes place only in the evening, when good nights are said. In the the morning nod, smile, or a "good morning" is all that is said or done by way of greeting. The next general meeting is at uncheon-1 :3O-on non- shooting days, or meeting of ladies only, and, though a. choice of dishes is offered, ladies generally prefer to eat of one dish only in the meat course say, outlet or help of chicken, or slice Of roast mutton, followed by a sweet. Men who have not been out shooting eat quite a spare luncheon. and neither touch meat nor sweets, cake biscuit or cheese being the extent of their requirements at this hour. On the other hand, after a long morning spent in walking over stubble in search of cartridges, men are equal to making very substantial luncheon out of doors, and do not despise Irish stew, mutton pies, cold beef, pigeon pie, saus- age, rolls and the like, to say nothing of bitter beer, Whiskey and soda water, and not seldom, champagne-this latter being more frequently given by bachel- or hosts. It is a. well known fact that the ladies of a house party are more than pleased to join the shooters at their outdoor luncheons; but it is whis pered that the company of, ladies is not equally appreciated by keen sports men on these occasions, on the ground of loss of time and veXatious delay in resuming sport, the afternoon hours being all too short in which to shoot the willy partridge.
 Five o'clock tea in the country is not "4:30 tea" as in town, and amounts to almost a meal in itself with it's hot cakes, rich cakes and sandwiches. In September the shooters seldom return to join the ladies at tea, while in Nov- ember their presence is generally to be counted upon, as daylight wanes by 4:3O, and within doors is far pleasanter than without doors at this hour; but even then the smoking room, joined by gen. uine fatigue, is a formidable rival to the drawing room, however fascinating may be.
 The dinner hour, however is the sig nal for the whole of the company to assemble at close upon 8:3O. When pre- cedency is strictly followed, the same couples are oftel sent in to dinner to- gether night after night, but hostess endeavors to introduce a little variety in this respect as far as possible. so that the companions of the hour may