The sun., 1898-06-19
HAMPERS FOR soHooLBoEs.
An Important Branch or EnElish Trade and
American Comments Thereon.

An Important Branch or EnElish Trade and
American Comments Thereon.
They do some things better in England. With
English schoolboys, as with their American
cousins. the hamper from home 10 popular in
stitution; only, In America, the boys call it
box The name doesn't make any difference
with the contents. A plum cake or mince pic
sent in n box will make boy just as Ill as ono
forwarded in a hamper; and so long as the jelly
is sweet enough and the pickles sour enough,
what boy cares how they are packedf
Stern teachers have bitter prejudice aRainet
boxes from home but that is because they arc
q long way from youth; and every boy is sure
that II ever he has a school of his own he will
not only admit boxes at Christmas and Thanks
irving time but will also encourage their ad-
vent at oil seasons. Next to the teachers in
considerate attitude. the chief cause OF the In
frequency of American boxes lies in the fact
that 1t is O wretched nuisance to got them
ready; but that obstacle doesn't stand in the
way of the English boys happiness. That Is
one OF the instances in which they do things
better in England. The department stores in
London advertise, among other things. school
hampers at varying prices. One might pass tho
item without understanding its festive nssocia-
tions but the explanation fol lows in the item
lied account of the hampers contents. For
five shillings. one reads. one may buy hamper
containing:
iRSanIs RSm snd fa ehiefsp Sausage bottle sweets
jar jar jam. H. ~ apounds mixed nuts
That isn't half bad. though to- an American
boy or girl-for over here more boxes =. are S sent @
much sticky stuff and too little cake, and the
"one bottle sweets" doesn't convey ,S clear idea
| two pounds OF mixed confectionery and six
mince pies. The hamper Is clearly worth the
extra 5 shillngs-to the attendant physician.
| Four pounds Of currant cake and six mince pies
viii 20 long way wbese rsa
| ment is necessary before the heads and feet OF
the boys can assume their normal and relative
As for the twenty shilling hampers. which are
the last word OF luxury and eTtravaganGe' one
happy % recipient but ali Of his particular frendl
very iii indeed. The hamper, .gradation re
Of the old Eh h%6 oe
drunk for shilling In the case s Of the 81 ham
the Fms might sc oT for tel
One advantage in the possession of pound
hamper is that the owner cannot possibly "a. ca
self popular by calling in the assistance of.hi
friends. Consequently. If one can Al ahora md IN IN
biz hamper. thereby increasing the boy's popu
larity among his mates ana iessenlng IN
chance Of Q fatal enfding 10 1estiVities' here
the pound hampers llst
lbs. currant cake. bottles sweets,
sages Glib. box crystallized frui
l German sausage 1 Jars assorted potte
| / boT hraIa6d beef, 2 lbs, meats.
9 jars JAM "a oranges,
2 Jars marmalade, lbs mixed nuts
Iypon soundipg a number of American sma
| hoys in regard to their opinion of the outfit,
was found that they looked upon it with scorl
One younRsIer. aged thirteen even went SO IA
better box than that ought to be hanged.
"Who wants braiscd beef. and what's It, an
way9" said one boy.
mo turkey!" the third exclaimed in DISCUS
"No doughnuts!"
mo sardines!"
mo raisins!'
} mo picklcs!" v
Evidently English and American schoolbo!
do not agree on matters of gastronomy; but a
the same the ready.made school hamper is
great institution.