The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
DOMESTIC LIFE IN GERMANY.

1t may be of some interest to Ameri-
can housewives to know how their Ger
man sisters manage houseknerir~ in
their dear Old Iaterland. and trusting
that such is tho case, 7 win attempt 10
describe some of The customs which i'm
pressed me most forcibly during my
two years residence in an upper mid
dle-class family in Berlin. l say upper
middle-class, for, though not belonging
to the aristocracy proper, the B-N-s
were justly proud of the sturdy old
veteran, who SO nobly defended and
saved q very important stronghold
during the great German struggle for
independence, thereby winning for
himself the gratitude Of his sovereign,
and for his descendants the double
name so well-known to all students Of
German history.
1t is unquestionably true that the
Germans take keen delight in satisfy.
ing the inner man and it seemed to me
the first few days after my arrival that
! was constantly being urged to par
take of some more or less substantial
repast at very odd, though quite fre-
quent intervals.
The Germans have an almost morbid
dread of becoming hungry, so to pre-
vent such dire catastrophe, they in
dulge in no less than five regular meals
daily. The day is begun with q delicate
breakfast of rolls and coffee. About
two hours later a so-called second
breakfast Is served, consisting Of rolls
and meat. generally some kind of saul
sage, with beer, wine or coffee, as one
chooses. The most substantial repast
is served about one o'clock. The menu
Is what one would naturally expect for
dinner anywhere, bread and butter,
hnu hat
their absence. In the middle Of tho
afternoon, we always had coffee and
cake, and finally at eight o'clock we sat
down to supper There was a decided
novelty about such a state of affairs,
which was rather more pleasing than
otherwise especially during those two
or three days when I had nothing of
greater importance to attend to. But
how was to do Justice to the culinary
department of that we'll regulated
household, and devote, ut the same
time, a proper amount Of each day to
the improvement Of my mind, troubled
me. To this hour, I cannot explain how
1t was done, but by some mysterious
selves to each other, and found had
ample time for everything, even for
the Objectionable (?) five meals per
day.
My American mind was unprepared
for the various formalities observed at
meal time, and I we'll remember my
CONSERVATION when after dinner. just
rs we left the table, the older members
Of the family all murmured pleasant
"Mahlzeit," thereby seeming to imply q
hope that the occasion had been an en-
joyable one. The younger children all
came around to me and formally shook
1~ kt.ASy sS%% t1,n nrrfO 0r1
At first I concluded this to be merely a
family custom to teach the children to
show difference to their elders and
superiors-but my first dinner party, q
month after my arrival. speedily dis
abused my benighted mind Of any such
illusion.
A very elegant lieutenant tool, me
out, and we carried on a composite
conversation, he in German with some
French phrases, at what seemed TO me
sadly long intervals, which method Of
procedure was totally reversed on my
part. AS our hostess rose, noticed that
my escort regarded me with an ex'
pectant expression, the while extending
his hand in the most matter Of fact
manner imaginable. extended mine
and we both shook hands and sait
''Mahlzeit," after which, following thu
lead of the German ladies, I went
through the same ceremony with my
host and hostess.
Another striking feature-which
found. later on belonged to every hous'
entered-was the peculiar arrange
ment Of the furniture in the parlor ant
eitting-room. On one side of the room
q sofa is enthroned, in front Of which
Just far enough removed to permit ont
TO pass between the two. Is O table
fianked by an easy chair. upholstered
like the sofa. All the other chairs arr
rather straight and decidedly uncom
Portable and are consequently reserved
for the children, 1t being apparent!
part Of the German code that a chilt
becomes obedient and respectful in pro
portion to the hardships 1t has to un
dergo. The sofa is the seat Of honor
a. such being sacred to the heads o
the household and their guests.
amuses me now to think how uncon
sciously must have shocked thos,
good-natured Deutschers by my evi
dent willingness to ensconce nysel
thereon for It was not until atteg. I