The Southern herald., 1896-03-13
oLD.TlME HOSPITALITY.
Not Much Of 1t in the Asalrs Of Modern
Society.

Our modern ideas OF hOspltality,
where invitations are issued to return
invitations, and social obligations, as
they are known, are paid by elegantly
engraved bits Of pasteboard, partakes
100 much OF the spirit of barter TO be
strictly agreeable 10 persons of refine
ment. Social life, however, in the
great cities is too complex, and the Wis
lting lists Of those who are in society
seem now far too large TO admit Of any
other arrangements. There is little or
no spirit Of hospitality in the repay
ment Of social obligations with strict
ness and commercial honesty. Hospi-
taiity is q far higher, sweeter thing.
It is the outcome Of love and charity
to our fellow-man; an unselfish desire
10 minister TO those who are beloved
and congenial friends; desire to give
without any thought of the benefits to
come. The highest example of hospi-
tality is that lord Of the house who,
finding that those hidden to his table
did not come, straightway sent his
servant to the highways and hedges,
to the lanes and streets OF the city to
bring in the poor, the MANNED, the
halt and blind Something Of this
same spirit possessed the barons Of
England when they established in their
hall the common table to which every
one was hidden. The poor scholar, the
wandering harper and even the beggar,
though seated low in rank, might well
come find at this free board. It *as
not until the time Of Queen Elizabeth
that the common table fell into disuse,
and the inn was the only resort Of the
traveller.
The narrow quarters into which many
Of us are compelled to crowd our house,
holds make the liberal hospitality Of
our fathers an impossibility. The
manor house and the old farmhouse,
where there were always abundance Of
guest rooms and a hospitable table
that could be set for an unexpected
friend at any time are fast becoming
things of the past. There is no doubt
that old.time hospitality was often
grossly abused BY indolent, selfish peo-
pie, who remained long enough to wear
their welcome threadbare. 1t is prob
ably more just, if not so generous, to
be less hospitable.
Many baron in the old times was
impoverished by hordes Of lazy retain
ers, who did little but gormandize at
his expense, and it was no doubt the
abuse Of his hospitality that led to the
abolishment Of the common table OF the
middle ages.
It sometimes seems as though all
genuine, sincere hospitality was pass-
ing away, but ii is probably only q
seeming. In proportion to our means
We provide as much for "the stranger
and entertain our friends as much as
our grandfathers did. The cost Of liy
ing and the actual sacrifice necessary
10 make room for one or two extra Gov
srs at the table are much greater thar
in olden days, when the bolntiful farm
provided all the living Of the family
and what was not eaten must go t
waste. In these more economical days
when coppers must be counted as wei
az silver II one would keep the vol
from the door, extensive hospitality
means the sacrifice Of money tina
ought to be saved against possible d.
Of need,
Young people beginning life in tn
city in a four-room fat cannot affor'
10 be as hospitable as their fathers, wh'
lived on the old farm on larger means
Modern ideas of living demand NOR
Of the host than was considered neces
sary in more primitive times. Th
poorest householder Of to-day wouI
scorn to set before q guest the pIaii
fare Of his fathers time. The fear .
public opinion makes the poor man 0
woman strain every nerve to appear i
afiuent circumstances. II we coul
be content to offer our friends ou
daily fare the task Of entertaining .
occasional guest would not be 50 bun
densoms, and we might revive some Q
she spirit Of olden hospitality. III
presence Of an occasional guest Is a
ways help to eyerF one ii the houal
Children learn in this way ease ef naI
ner, and are taught 70 be conEteou
Those who live forever BY fhemaelzI
are likely f6 earse narrow and H1tdl
Ia spite 81 fsI |I1 e f. |Hsff