New-York tribune., 1900-12-02
SOME WAYS OF THE WORLD
CUSTOM OF LEAVING GUESTS TO EN-
TERTAIN THEMSELNES-AT ENGLISH
COUNTRY HOUSES.

II is becoming more ana more the fashion IN
the circles that are called smart for the hostess
10 allow 10 her guests and also 10 herself complete
independence Of action. An invitation nowadays
means literally Come and eat and drink and be
merry and do as you choose" An up 10 date
chatelaine considers that her duty is done II she
provides for the creature comforts Of her guests
and there her responsibility for their welloeing
ends.
Their amusemen.s they must more or less pro
vide for themselves, and woe betide a sensitive
visitor who has not caught on TO modern meth
ods and who has feelings that are easily hurt
%. love 10 go among those people now remarked
q society girl recently, for the entire freedom
from restraint is delightful; but al hrst was
greatly taken aback by the way was left 10 my
own devices and u makes me laugh TO think how
I spent my first morning a house guest in one
OF the smart houses I was told that my breakfast
would be brought my room, and that everybody
did as ne liked until luncheon. II seemed rather
nice az first when a tempting little tray was
brought in 10 after I had had my bath and
discussed my breakfast and a novel in great com-
fort but when I was dressed and was ready TO
jon the festivities I felt rather at a loss, per
tcularly / from my window my hostess
cauteTing gayly away with several Of party for
q morning ride. However. I plucked up courage
after a while and went down stairs. II was a huge
house and as / had arrived the evening before,
after dark, 7 Of course did not know my bearings,
but ] met friendly foOtman, who told me some
OF the guests were ia the morning room, and
showed me the way. There l found a couple Of
old ladies gossping over their embroidery. They
were very kind and after talking with a lirte
while they asked me If would not like 10 go cut,
saying that ] would be find some OF the
marty on the grounds. Glad TO escape, I hurried
back my room, and there I sat down and actual
ly cried, ] felt lonely and out OF IL all. How
ever ] soon brought common sense 10 my aid.
realized that no neglect was intended; that it was
undoubtedly the customary way Of treating a
guest and that II ] wanted 10 have a good time
musi lock out for myself So ] dried my eyes.
made myself look nice possible and was
ready 10 greet cordially the riding party when they
returned at luncheon time. After that 1 got on
famously. ! made my plans the evening before
for the morning, and found my hostess
most kind about furthering every expressed wish,
that now, as ] say, ] greatly prefer the
modern fashion 10 the old conventional methods
which frequently so tresome 20 the entertainer
and the entertained"
In England at great houses this feeling Of isola-
tion 10 stranger is very pronounced. No one
makes the slightest effort make any OF the
large party of invited guests feel at home, and a
newcomer must form circle, 20 speak before
she car hope 10 enjoy herself
II thought" said charming and clever Ameri-
can woman, when were invited 10 stop a
week at the Rs that J would least number
Lady r. among my friendly acquaintances but
really do not think that If had met her unexpeet-
edly a fortnight after my visit 10 her she would
have even recognized me, ] saw so little Of her,
The first evening / arrived there ] went up 10 her
after dinner and explaining that ] was very tired
ap0l0E.zed for going 10 my room so early. She
looked at me with faint surprise But why not?
she cueried and ] recognized that ! had committed
a soleclsm. After that / went of without bidding
good nieht 20 any one and felt that was an atom
Of too little consequence TO DE missed. 7 90 not
yhink there is anything take the conceit out Of
an American woman NsO esteems herself social
light al home Ike a visit regular tiptop fash
ionabe English country house"