The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-17

The successful hostess is born, not
made, and all who have tried the gentle
art know that successful entertaining
is difficult undertaking, particularly in
summer. when the supply of accomrnn-
dations in an attractive country house
is often not equal to the demands put
upon II and the housewife is at her wits
| ends to make all her guests comfortable.
But the very sensible English custom
| Of tine allowance" designating the
! day of a guests arrival and departure,
have helped to simply matters wonder
fully both for the hostes and her
guests.
The art Of hospitality is Of such an
/ cient date that il would be hard TO tell
just where and when it began. Man is
| naturally a sociable snimal, and even
the cave jewellers probably invited their
neighbors to partake Of a sunbaked fish
/ and mountain berries The banquet in
/ classic civilization was a positive art.
and life without the feast did not ex-
ist. When the cloud of ruin hung over
Rome the populace clamored for the en-
I tertainments the Emperor had provided
TO still their dissatisfaction. And so on
through all the stages Of the worlds
history the art of hospitality has been
! practiced in various ways. according to
| the maners Of the age
In our own way much Of the stiG.
heavy formality of functions has been
done away with. and there is almost
hysterical race after a Jolly good
| time" in which young and old alike
| share
Open house IS practically the motto
Of all who possess real homes, and to
take pot luck means nowadays no IN
lovely meal Of leftlovers The unex-
pected guest is always provided for.
end this apparent lack OF fOrmality
goes far toward the making of good
Fellowship and friendship.
There Is another aspect to this ques-
ton OF hospitality which Is seldom con-
sldered-the attitude OF the guest. The
art OF being perfect guest is as i'm
portant as that of a perfect hostess. To
take up the role of the house as IL
were, TO be In sympathy, II only for an
hour or so. with those around and TO
leave behind a regret hat the visit has
been so short are surely the aim OF the
perfect guest This unfortunately is not
always lived up to.
The guest room IS apt to be over
looked In small homes. and too often
this chamber is an old furniture asylum
LOT the preservation OF ancient articles
whose liSes have been lived out in more
Favored parts Of the house A feeling
or angry protest assails guest put into
such a room. A want of consideration
claims Itself in every misfit I'm the apart
ment. The ideal guest chamber IS sim
pie and dainty In its appointments and
should be fitted with thes little conven-
fences anS comforts that make for a
happy and resCful visit And surely In
these days when dimities and chintzes
may be bought for a song and art craft
furniture is equally inexpensive the
hangings and furnishings Of a room will
not tax even q slender allowance
Most attractive is a guest room in
one OF the beautiful country homes OF
a multlmil1onaire. so simple IN fits an
pointments that in a modest cottage II
would be perfectly in keeping with the
other part OF the menage The walls
are hung with cool green burlap to a
frieZe depth. where a cream French
cretonne covered with pompadour roses
forms delightful border The roses at
the bottom Of the frieze are cut out nj
the edge and applied to the burlap i'm a
realistic growing fashion The floor
covering IS Of green mating exactly
matching the wall hanging, over which
japanese rugs with green and white
colorings are thrown. The furniture lie
In white enameled wood and "A dqintv
wen equipped desk stands in one corner
while long, comfortable couch OF
wicker piled high with dimity covered
cushions Is a charming lounglng place
for the stranger within the walls. The
lucky guest has only 10 reach up and