The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-04-10


ance. Few declined, and they for given
reasons told with emphasis of regret.
The day came with its cold, clear, sunny
winter afternoon. The guests were prompt,
and soon after the appointed hour the large
parlor was filled with women, bonnets and
gloves laid aside, work in hand, faces bright,
and all ready for good time.
First" said the hostess, calling the
merry groups to order, Il will ask each one
simply to name the book she has selected as
her favorite read in 1894"
Two guests volunteered to keep the record.
and thus make permanent the pleasure of
the list.
Sixty-two votes were taken and only four
books duplicated-two of these, however, so
often that the total number was fifty-four.
The ten who selected Trilby were asked to
tell each other why they liked it. This gave
a sparkling half hour with questions, argu-
ments and keen analysis.
Marcella's seven sponsors then had the
floor, and following them thee spoke tor
Drummond's Ascent of Man and two for
the jungle Book. None, by the way, had
more charmingly witty presentation than
Kipling's unique and suggestive volume
Almost from the first the speakers volun-
tarily stood, because the group was large.
What charming talk! Seldom in one day
is SO much heard that is both prof table and
entertaining.
A revival of Sabatier's ST. Francis d'Assisi
was replete with literary appreciation and
spiritual insight.
Wards Psychic Factors of Civilization;
DAlbert's Matter, Motion, Ether; Theodore
Child's Desire of Beauty; Ibser's Brand;
Warmers Golden House; John Muir's
Mountains OF California; Richard Feverill-
all had their apostles. who gave fascinating
talks about them. full of appreciative dis
elimination and analysis.
AS the light Of the too short day waned,
one rose to talk of Christina Rossetti spoons.
He lovely face was illumined as she recited
several of the beautiful verses, finishing
them with thread of her own words.
Then came Miss Rosetti's Christmas song,
set to music by rarely gifted young woman,
Miss Eleanor Smith, who sang it in the
cleaning.
l have given but meager idea of an af-
ternOOn that is kept among memory's treas
ures. [ have described It somewhat in de-
tail, hoping that it may suggest to others
similar reunions, with all the money and
time that respent in entertaining, men and
women are hungry for the realities of social
intercourse. Money is not needed to COM
pass them. but there must be sense of pro-
portion and so strong desire for what is
real and permanent that empty forms and
social commerce are not mistaken for the
divine presence.
Today on every side stones are offered and
actually pass current as bread.
lquite forgot in the memories of the book
party to say there were light refreshments
do not remember just what was offered,
but think it was the choice between a cup
of tea and glass of grape juice. with bread
and butter sandwiches and cookies for ac-
| compartment. They were passed to the
guests in the parlor about o'clook, so that
was not monOpolized in admiring tremen-
dous bouquets of flowers under faring gas
jets, surrounded by burning candles-a
proximity impossible to a real lover of
flowers.
The sooner we cease to ask what others
do; to surround ourselves with unnatural
conditions; to keep social debit and credit
list; the sooner we seek the realities of social
life, and walk in the garden that is entered