New-York tribune., 1903-03-09

The private life Of the rich and great IS mat
ter Of such absorbing interest to the majority or
those who do not move in such society that
volume on millionaire Househoders." ny Mary
Elizabeth Carter ID. Appleton & Coz. ought to
have many readers. The book IS written IN Al"
attractive style. from evident knowledge Hf
facts the author being deserter from the ranks
of miIlionaires housekeepers. and is interspeTSed
with occasional but not too numerous reflections
on the contrasts Of life. am suggestions toward
a higher ideal. which commend it to the thoughtful
as well as the curious
One OF the most interesting chapters IS entitled
Side Lights and Shifting Scenes While the Smart
Set Dimes" Hero fcastinC and faintinG appear IN
the closest juxtaposftion only divided. at times by
a pair of stairs a tapestri"d screen
For two or three days before the dinner. II is
related the and his temporary assistant. with
several kitchen maids. have been busy with soup
stocks terrapfn c4nvasback ducks. birds hIet. de
foie gras. etc. The great French range has
roaring fire by day and by night It's cAPdcious
ovens and broad top never free from steamlnS
vessels Of every sort. whose contents prepare the
wav for those ills to which claims heirshtp-
Before noon on the day OF the banquet the but
Ter and the men OF his staff busy getting
ont extra silver and engraved crystal ware, pre-
pairing countless candies and massive can
deabra. and overseeing the setting up of the great
dinner table which has to be brought and placed
in sections by skilled carpenter. over this enor-
nous table is spread great felt cover, and above
that a costly tahlecloth big in size and price,
ring
in finest French embroidery. the owners. or some
body's
The great walled In safe gives up its shining
splendor adOrn buffet. sidebuard and dinner
table. and the room IS dazzling with polished
silver and gold. At each place are exqulsiteIy en-
graved goblets for champagne and claret and other
drinking vessels not less than five in cluster All
these indicate the variety of choice wines to NO"
during the Of the banquet. Host and hostess
rerufre strict sobricty of the who walt upon
their table. They open and pour out the
ten1pting liquors again and again. at the same
time setting examples Of temperance. The liquor
problem seems difficult for any wine loving
legislator or dinner Eiver to solve
Th,, florist arrives with his assistants IN time TO
place in sections the great central mound OF flow
ers-unumerable American Beauty roses or orChldS'
with Hlirs-of-t valley. while mal1enhalr fern
fringes the with laCelikA frondS- About the
table he leaves bouquets matching the centreIle'e
and floating in Zach finger bowl yiul"tS and rose
gcranirIms The Il-nts from dozens of candles Shed
n luStre softcued ~by sken shades the color OF
which harmonic with that of the chosen flowers or
the evening. GiIGed menu cards are placed WITHIN
the reach Of each guest. their mOuograms or crestS
inviting attention. ani adrlira tuI.- Peaches, 81
each: grapes SO a pouAi: strawberries. whose SIZE
is ma tChnd only hV their cost. are among INe urIi
cacies that prove the wealth and eXtraVasance OF
the hosts
Seven O'Clock having struck. the pnTteres part.
and our hostess moves forward TO survey the 'dDIe