The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-18
ALL ABOUT WOMEN.

Although a bit late, the account OF an
Nd-fashioned Christmas In England 10
cuaintly interesting.
I'm tho family OF Holt. OF Aston. there
was a very singular and invarlable Christ
raas custom, which It VIII he interesting
70 note. "a perhaps worthy Of revival by the
new Baronet, AZ soon az supper was over
IN Christmas Eve. table was set In tho
hall. which was furnished with brown
'oaf. stuck all over with three-pcnny bits.
together with tanknrd Of ale. pipes and
tobacco The two Elder servants were then
Installed as Judges, and tho steward
brought each of the other domcstic6, In
turn. to the table completely covered with
sheet, save the right hand. which was
placed on the bread.
The Judges bod then to make three
ruesses at tho name and II the proper
namo was hit upon the seryant was LED
back in silence otherwise he or Hhe re-
ceived a coin, aud thus the game was con-
fipued until all the money was Distributed.
Then all the do,nestcs we're PERMITTED to
drink. dance, sing. smoke and enjoy them
eaIvcs generally for the rest Of the evening
and to 20 TO bed when they chose. inns
Christmas pastme wns. doubtless an al
ncet solitary hut perverted survival OF ,he
old custom of 'largessc. Al tho great 'cs-
tivals when noblemen maintained 'ne'.
own heralde, the latter were accustomed 10
don their tabarde on such occasions, and 10
cry 'Largcsse' thrice, when money was
s,mlarly distributed among the ?etAlneie
assembled in the hall. good old hngl'ah
gentleman still living IN Hampshire. on
Christmas Day. has all his tenants snu
neighbors in his hall by daybreaH' me
lacks go plentifully round about Win
toast. sugar, nutmeg and cheese. nc
hackin Ia great sausage) must be noiieh ny
daybreak. and II II be not cooked. Two YOU'VE
men must take the maiden thc cook' ny
the arms and run her round the dining
hall TIL she is ashamed Of her laziness'
~ ~ "
vel,.aressed woman who had tho ap-
roarance OF being able to carry out hcr PREF
orences In such matters. came into the maj
Ince the other day wearing purple ciotn
gown trimmed deliberately with braid. Ihe
edges OF the velvet revers on her Eton
Jacket were trimmed with narrow MINK
FUR. and on her shoulders were bunches OF
mink heads and tails she carried mink
,nuff with wide nouncee OF purple velvet.
These wrist nounces for muffs are an ok-
celent idea. as they protect part OF me
arm that is extremely sensitive, ana Also
10 much to keep the hands from chnppihg'
They can be added to once mum OF sea,
son or two ago. The thrifty woman VIII
provide herself with several sets oil nun
nounces TO match her v'rous gowns. They
are made of velvet. fur or even hounc@ OF
accordion plating OF lace. Sometimes an
four materials are used In ono hounce' DO
ing finished OF with ribbon.
x y Y
A letter written by Prosper Merimee, the
well-known French author. during his hrst
visit 10 England has Just been published
As the Frenchman's view OF England does
not differ greatly from that of the gooa
Americans I reprint II. II gives US an
amusing glimpse OF English country lie:
II go from place TO place. and ma ev-
erywhere amiahle people. Sometimes ilVc
for a week In princely castle OF sco''anu'
where | have to stop my ears with cotton
wool at dinner time to the disgust OF the
bellies misses. but I cannot no. cannot.
eat my food with q man promenading around
the table with a sword at his side and
bladder In his mouth making the most aw-
ful noise. Sometimes ] am In simpler.
but lovely mansion: sometimes In cottage.
such as you never saw, except at the opera
but everywhere the cooking Is excellent
despite the calumnies spread in Paris. and,
M the country does not produce much iru't, |
the tables are always covered win the most
excellent specimens OF them
What notice ia that the English are
always studying Appearances. Tho lnrds
drive YOU all over their vast domains with /
an assumed air Of noble Indifference: tho
,ouires show you their hothouses with
hidden pride. and every one Is tres Don
enfant til dinner time. But. os soon az
ne gong has sounded a great change comes;
,very one sits IN and puts on the nobles'
the dresecoat and the white
.ie are OF a solemn impeccability. and the
ce which has been broken all the day long |
,etwoen their good sound English hearts
md my light French one grows again thick
sr than ever. and when you cat an English
Inner you feel as II you had to keep up
,he appearances at the funeral OF an old
aunt. -.---.-----