The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-14
A MAN who dispenses hospitality
GA ~ with courtesy, liberality and
~ dignity Is a king among his
4 ~ fellows" said an English no.

4 - fellows" said an English no.
bleman. He represents tho
highest type Of gentleman; his desire Is
to please"
BY the same token, he adds greatly to
the sense Of human happiness In carefully
and constantly practicing this all-impor-
tant branch Of the art OF being agreeable.
Specialize this branch Of the art; try to
acquire the attributes and habits OF the
ideal host.
You will not be aiming one bit too high.
Some study and some self-sacrifcs Is
required. 1t Is true; but to gain the easy
use of foreign language or facility with
your golf clubs will cost you much more
effort, and yet will not rebound 80 truly
to your high qualities of head and heart.
not to speak Of your general reputation
and daily comfort.
Play the host capably, charmingly, and
you are then not only showing the finest
altruism and the finest accomplishment In
the world, but you have broadened out
your whole nature and secured a social
self-confidence and an influence with
others that Is of inestimable value.
1t Is downright culpable ignorance not
to know even the minutest detail Of the
gentle art of hospitality.
In the eighteenth century, the colonial
boy, as soon as he was taught to read and
write. was also taught that it was noble
and manly, and Of practical Importance tc
his position and his future, to welcome the
coming and speed the parting guest with
grace. and do the high honors of his home
with exquisite courtesy.
We hold ourselves as greatly In advance
of the eighteenth century, and yet know
goodly number of grown men who fairly
cover before the possibility of having tt
receive the stranger within their gates
and, when the stranger Is presumably en-
joying the shelter of their roofs, they trea
him with neglect that would make the
cheek Of a barbaric Bedoain burn will
shame.
Bedouin. under a palm tree, will
a handful of dates and jug OF water
observe all the laws and traditions
Of the most perfect hospitality. He !:
able to make his guest feel that his pres
ence Is a privilege, and his goodness II
sharing his slender meal Is an homo
which lends to every mouthful he take:
distinctly new and delicate SAVIOR.
On the other hand. the average highl.
civilized American, tho his table Is spread
with Sevres china and supplied with ever.
dainty of the season, cannot give you
moments contentment at his feast.
He does not know, as does the Bedouin
that 1t is not the quantity, but the quail
ity of the hospitality offered that reall.
counts. He, however. realizes that some
thing Is vitality wrong with his way o
entertaining and In the privacy Of hi
own soul he is disguised and discouraged
with himself!
To any one who has the correct kline
of a.. alton and ambition, there is NJ
excuse for this ignorance. We live in Ill
age Of efeducatton. and 1t Is never too
late to mend ones manners.
The Law OF Hospitality
1t is as old as Abraham; 1t, has mo-
changed much since his day, and 1t L
not difficult either to understand or t.
utilize.
The hospitable man is generous Of i'm
pulse and practice. This supremely fin,
quality you must foster and practice
wherever and whenever you are Gale,
upon to guard the sacred traditions o
the roof tree.
1t makes little or no difference Wha
4 or where your roof-tree may be-. You ar
obliged to honor it in the same way, an,
at all times and places. The top floor
back. In boarding house, which Will
a struggling bank clerk you call you
home; your table in modest restaurant
or your place on upper Fifth avenue i
New York. call for an exhibition of ex
actly the same rules and regulations whe
you adopt the role Of host
A curious selfish, short-sighted policy
pursued by familiar type Of young mar
Is evidenced by a foolish discriminate