The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-24
u. CONSULATE AT ROTTERDAM
THE uSTOES HAVE DELIGHTFUL HOME WHICH Is THE CEN
TER OF CONSULAR LIFE IN THE sTAID OLD
DUTCH SEAPORT.
'istancs he gives comes out of his own

sfstance he gives comes out Of his own
pocket.
Etiquette expects an American tourist
to recognize the representative of his
country with a call. He may only leave
card If time presses. but he should give
at least that courtesy. The consul of
Rotterdam and Mrs. Listoe are always at
home Fridays. and though these recep-
tions are OF the most Informal nature, they
are source OF much pleasure to the tour
LIST, who Is glad Of a chance to meet Amer
lean women, In a social way. If there II
any address on the card the consul and
his wife make every effort to extend what
social courtesies are In their power.
In addition to the weekly receptions.
tho American holidays are always cele-
brated at the consulate and the other rep
resentatives formally pay their respects
he flies. English Is the common tongue
In this consular circle in Rotterdam,
The Listoes have large family. There
are three daughters, tho youngest Of them
1G and Just budding into the delights and
destinations Of young lady-hood, and two
boys in Rotterdam and an older son In st.
Paul. The family also includes an Amer
lean governess who instructs the boys.
The family has adopted the Dutch style
Of living which simplifles matters very
much for both Mrs. Listoe and the serv-
ants. They did not understand American
ways and it was easier for Mrs. Listoe to
adapt herself to the Dutch method than
for them to take up new customs. There
are the same domestic trials In Europe
that beset a housekeeper in this country.
but common sense and patience Will do
wonders at unravelling them there as
here. Housekeepers In Holland buy all
their bread and other baked food and pur-
chase their groceries in the smallest
quantities. The air is so damp that it
su To eI1rrIfeS length
of time and one Of the first lessons the
new conner has to learn Is that small pur-
chases are In the end economical
/ Life is very formal In this old Dutch
seaport town, and If Miss Listoe wishes
to spend the afternoon with a frfend' sne
first sends a servant to ascertain II 1t VIII
be convenient Visits are most ceremoni-
GUS and not even intimate friends run in
to see each other without sending due no
tice. The usual dinner hour in Rotter-
dam is 4 o'clock, and at 9 tea Is served.
This is to the Dutch what afternoon tea Is
to the English or coffee to the Germans.
1t is the pleasant hour of the day, when
the members Of the family and their
friends, who have sent in word Of their
coming, gather round the hospitable tea
kettle and review the events Of the day.
Living abroad always sounds alluring
to the urtrayeled American whose lines
have fallen in some quiet village, and he
Is likely to think OF the consul ana MS
family with envy. It would seem as
though the position gave an ideal opportu-
nifty to become acquainted with strange
country and a strange people at the eX-
pense Of the government. But this ideal,
existence is filled with hours Of homesick-
ness and longings for the old friends and
surroundings and a yearning to hear the
nasal American twang again instead of the
foreign chatter. The consul and his fam
iiy are often the only Americans in the
port, and. while they visit and exchange
social courtesies with the residents, they
live much by themselves. Americans can
adapt themselves to any surroundings, but
the people Of foreign countries have not
the same gift, and they never cease to re-
gard the Americans as people from anoth-
er country.