The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-01
Low LIFE ABOVE STAIRS.
Strange Amusenents at EnGlish Country
Houses-sndinE Down Stnirn on Trays
and Bllndmnn's Buff on Billiard Tables.

Oo"a oN NSI'
and Blindnan's Bur on Billiard Tables.
FSom the london World
1t Is a sign OF the times nowadays that coun-
try house parties often cuffninate in moro
romping. Under the old dispensation. when
the fair ones were looked upon as intruders
who were admitted TO shooting parties on suf-
ferance, and were expected to refrain from
tho high crime and of worrying
the men when they returned to the house
after a fatiguing day, the evenings were short.
dull. and slumberous. The now regime, how
ever, has altered all this. The ladies are
there on An equality. and they expect to be
amused. They still permit the men to go out
shooting, because they do not quito see their
way to CHANGING that ut present. But they
follow about lunch time, and do their best
after lunch to spoil the rest Of the afternoons
shoot in favor Of Irritation under pre,ence of
marking" However tagged, moreover, tho
men may DO with the days tramp. that is no
excuse for being dull in the evening. The
ladies are to be amused. and the least the men
can do. say tbs fair ones. after enjoying them
selves In their odd way" all day, Is ta DO
lively AID entertaining in the evening. From
this point OF view music and conversation have
way, but It impossible to spend evening after
evening with only this Kind Of amusement
But It 10 imp, s.ibie for smart people TO play
cards without gambling, and many hostesses
will not allow this accessory-not because they
object by any means to tho principle OF the
thing. but because they are determined that
no scandals. no auarrelllnR over money, or los
Ing more than oan DO afforded. shall happen in
The result is that at last somebody proposes
a draw aEa room G00m Gsmss, Which sooner or later
bad accidents. Billiard bun. for Instance, Is
4 4 f eensIs,s a IN a rspid eb In Lively o4 = f SaSx sv and = 1. as
lard table, until at list. ,breAihless and heated,
|fhav nrNhla nv nrNtlAnf tnN AaE1, 0th--fa
arms. it may easily be imagined that such in
cidents as one Of the performers rolling by
some easily injured portion OF the body, or
knoclnE the head viol ntly against some I'M
ment OF the Chase. are all quite possible. and
have been known TO lay the victim up for the
rest OF the visit. For these sufferers one would
feel more COMMUNICATION were IL not that 10 Is
their own rampant folly which 10 to blame for
their misfortune; Another joyful sport which
that OF toboEganipg down the great staircase
on tea-trays. For this purpose a solid oak or
m nbouia be s.I provided d about fsay f haif Msy do Sna Win II Il
n sharp bend. which will give the competitors
an opportunity TO exhibit their steering pow.
rather violently against the wall II they fall to
negotiate the dihlcnlty. SO much the better.
game Is to use n big dinner tray, and send the
performers down in pairs OF both sexes. This
difficulty Of steering, and therefore insures a
number OF spills. The spectacle OF a pretty
young woman and her masculine escort roll
ing out head over heels and over one another.
and completing the descent In that I'm prompt
manner. is regarded as quite n triumph of art
and humor. not to mention good taste. Per-
hais II is not surprising that this sport, too.
has sometimes resulted in broken limbs and
s ssTsFs ss sSa1GfISH'iit Il il o wo %sion rfpIly led not to be q
broken engagement AS well. For some men
are so odd, - and. however amusing they may
think this kind of sport when carried on bv
other mems girls, they might draw the line at
participation on the Part OF their own fianccts.
vast possibilities of enjoyment. What can be
fairer than the simple arrangement that tho
ladies should DO permitted to hack or trip at
pleasure, and that the men should only be al
lowed to. collar" the ladies Tin the Rugby
sense of the word and what more calculated
to enhance the manly, feeling of respect for
tho dignity of womRnhoud? 1t is advisable.
moreover, where possible. that This game
should be played upstairs in a long corridor
terminating In two staircases. The latter
over. will afford a fine oppostunlty for real de-
voices of.the game. after n sharp run up to goal
nd hot pursuit on tho other side. to fall
headlong from top to bottom clasped in each
bslly-rag pure and simple. 1t may be urged
that the difference, between the sports men
toned above and the hally-rag must require
an experienced eye to detect. But the fact IL
that tho esse nee of the bally-rag Is that 1t
should be thu outcome OF the moment and be
Taxa the primitive form OF a cushion fight; II
may develop into war dances. wherein tho
high kicking p~rnctlsed at the halls may DO
deity blended with tho reels so dear to the
traps'. may.b be another expression OF this phase
of feeling, and great Hport may be derived by
mix ing up all the boots, or Transporting the po-
sitisns of q masculine and feminine wardrobe.