The Lamar register., 1897-06-26

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E-E#NH eaHthl most virtues: II
ErI[yNAE In was so esteemed
ZSISStyy9/ among all the high
TltsegYSS) III er nations, and to
NtSX some extent among
GNAl@ the barbarians. In
YS EO<l the Old Testament
70 a Scriptures 1t Is
Illustrated by many
Sne examples, as well as preeepts, en-
Joining IL, while the New Testament
affords both example and precepts, oil
the most winning kind Hospitality has
thus been a well-standing virtue; IL has
heen commended Of all men, and prac-
tieed everywhere. In the early times
in this country our fathers established
hospitality in Its nobIest forms, and
adopted Il as an American virtue. The
log cabin was open to the stranger,
with place at the ere and at the
table, while the nelEhbor had almost
all the privileges OF the owner In the
early farmhouse conditions were the
same. and In the town and in the city
every one kept open house. according
to his means. In the south. especially,
this grew to immense proportions. un-
til II oyershadowed all other virtues
The homes OF the rich, particularly
were constantly crowded with neigh
bors and friends. so that life was one
continual round OF entertainment and
being entertained. That state Of things
has not altogether passed away hospi-
tality has not been entirely dethroned,
or, At least, It has not become an out
AZ hsFF Ns=sa ,s,Tf La n haiipKn
that the signs OF the times indicate its
decadenee, this change started in cit
les. with the development OF hotels:
city people began to consider the ad-
Visibility Of having relatives and
friends from outlying places and lodg-
Ing at bostelries The city man began
to close bis doors upon the host OF
relatives and friends, who might make
convenience OF him in their tours
TO the city There WAS good reason for
cifcrtminatiou here: the city man could
not very well entertain bis whole na-
tive town or Interrupt his business
hours FOR every indifferent person. As
our civilization lost simplicity Il be-
came more and more necessary to draw
lines OF classes, aud to discriminate
according to character and attain
msnts. so that one could not continue,
in city. to recognize his ueighbor as
a guest simply because he lived next
door Neighborliuess lost Its meaning.
As the struggle OF life became more in
tense. the selfish qualities were de-
Eeloped These reasons. working 10
gether. modified the old idea OF hospi-
taIity. Then came the idea Of enter
tanning as means to an end: the old
idea Of hospitality had been to share
ones home and loaf and heartiness
with Others. The modification of it. In
cities, came to give it a certain market
able power; one man would open his
home and spread his table and invite
his guests. expecting from them In re-
turn such social honor or prestige as
they could give; he expected that they
should invite him and his family to
their homes In return He hoped to
win or hold a place In a good circle,
and when his entertainment surpassed
In spleudor that OF his friends. he ex-
pected to have credit in praise and
glory for that. So that hospitality,
generally speaking. in the cities has
now become an exchange OF social
honors: one does not give anything
without expecting something for n.
That there are many individuals who
maintain the old hearty hospitality Is
true, but the standard is no longer uni
yersally recognized. In the towns the
change has also been felt. The old