New-York tribune., 1896-10-25
GOSSIP.
THE WAY THE WORLD GOES.

1T In an indisputabe fact that the landed gentry
OF Great Britain are becoming very poor, said an
American woman of social prominence. who has
recently been visiting In their English homes not
the Of the various fine estates, but her own
countryfolk who found their opportunity In the
original owners extremity. and who have either
bought leased magnificent old mansions with
ga rdens. parks and far-stretching fields for sums
that TO those accustomed to the extraordinary
rents at the American watering places seem abb
surdly inadequate.
Fancy" she exclaimed "for a rental Of 5000 .
year obtaining one Of the most beautiful homes
imaginabe-a spacious mansion with the most per.
fecty appointed Offices as they call the house
keeping department over there. with kitchen. gar.
den and everything complete: house furnished
with all that IL necessary for English comfort
which means everything that is possible to think
OF: stable that equals the house In Its appoint
ments and size; conservatories. lovely gardens.
home park. magn!fccntly wooded: and game
preserve OF great extent for which they pay
small amount extra per annum:"
This is an exception The stately homes OF
England which Mrs. Hemans so fondly described
being scattered "all DER the pleasant and, ana
which educated Americans have associated with
their ideals Of all that is desirable and delightful
are becoming year by year (and 1t Is to be feared
under existing circumstances VIII continue 10 Do
GOMEZ monuments of past opulence and beautiful
living This decadence OF English life In Its best
aspects the life of the fashionable crowd that
meet around sporting centres. which now repre-
sent country living but the home life, an exist:
ence which seemed In ts round or duties ano
pleasures to approach more nearly 10 perLectlou
than anything else In the world means disunct
loss to civilization Nothing In this money-making
and money-loving age Will ever approach II IN
dignity and beauty
'But It seems very sad" said the lady already
quoted, reverting TO the subject. ITO see how
many Of these nne typical old places are deserted
by their owners who can no longer arord 10 i've
there. In London | was shown BY real estate
book nearly two inches thick hed win
nothing but descriptions Of country places Tor sale
or rent. Another sign of the times Is the way
In which the scons Of these old families are plung
ing into trade. women well as men. One OF the
marked traits OF Engshwomen Is that they nave
the courage Of their convictions. Now that trade
Is permitted by Mrs. Grundy and that even the
Queen has decreed that 1t shall not in}ure the
social positions OF those who undertake II. the
money is legion: In fact, II has become regular
fad for them to make new departures, and their
enterprise and courage far exceed those OF Amert-
cans who still shver on the brink and hesitate to
teke the plunge"
The question whether not to hats at the
theatre seems in the nature OF things likely to be
settled by a compromise The conditions Of life
are so different here and in Europe that II Is al
most impossible for women to go to the play with
out some kind Of head covering. With the opera
II IS different: that is distinctly dress affair. and
ladies' are wont to drive thlther in carriage. and
for the evening" In England and France the uni.
versal use OF cabs and facres and the comfortable
cloak rooms provided at the theatres themselves.
make the fiat of mo hats reasonable one but
the managers here. under existing circumstances.