The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-15

ball
The decorations and dancing cards dis
posed Of. the question OF supper is next
70 be solved. What to serve that will
appeal TO the jaded appetites OF Christ
mas feasters. But few appetites really
are jaded at o'clock in the morning II
their possessors have danced and firted
since 10. furnishing hunger is abroad and
almost anything Is acceptable The sup
per should be more or less of q formal
one. served at small tables. and should
begin with cups OF hot, nourishing bouiI-
Ion; these should be followed by fish
croquettes, lobster Ia Newburg, or some
such dish. Then "a quail. with celery
salad. would not be amiss, after which a
pate with aspic could come, and then the
ices, as varied and fantastic as possible.
Let the music rest while supper is being
served, and cover its absence with abun-
dant laughter. The bali must finish with
rousing dance. and the company dis
perse in that darkest hour" Just before
dawn. Give such ball, and be prepared
to receive I'm the coming spring more or
less wedding cards as its direct conse-
quence.
In summing up the possibilities for
Christmas entertainment the Christmas
tree should not be lost sight Of This
bedecked. evergreen is manifestly for the
children, but the grown-ups get quite as
much enjoyment out OF its preparation as
do their juniors I'm denuding il or its
fruit The proper time for the unwilling
of this mystic tree is Christmas Eve. and
every candle on its branching boughs
should be lighted before the doors are
opened to the throng OF expectant little
ones. Even then. with the tree before
them in all its promise and glory. Ger
man children are expected to make little
speeches of welcome TO their guests, OF
thanks TO their parents. or 10 recite ap-
propriate poems. and they do the stunts
expected OF them under its very shine
with ease and dignity. and no show of
the eagerness and excitement that must
possess them. The self-control OF little
Americans is not put to such a test and
they are allowed to fall at once upon
the bounteous tree and it's substantial
fruit And such havoc as follows,
For Christmas tree party there should
always be a real Santa Claus. mart
that some amiable older brother or uncle
Is generally willing to play, and II he has
bit OF dramatic ability the one who i'm
personates this old saint can keep a party
OF children on the qui vive for an hour
or so, but the moment their interest Be-
gins to flag he should disappear. not 10
return for a year AS early an hour as
possible should be set for the lighting of
the tree so that the children can be sent
home in good season, and only the highest
refreshments should be served chicken
broth in cups. with bread and butter sand
witches. plain ices. and real Christmas
cake with plums-so dear TO the childish
heart-in II. As to gifts. il is hard 10
suggest but II is bad taste 10 give any,
thing very elaborate or very expensive or
in anyway 10 put child's family under
obligations it might be unwilling 10
voluntarily assume. The fancy bag or
box OF candy is a safe and always ac-
ceptable present. and many hostesses
have cut the Gordian knot OF this dim
Guilty by providing those for their little
guests and nothing else. which does awav
with lot of bother and gives rise 10 no
Jealousy.
A good preparation for the Christmas
celebration is not only to read the story
or the Christ child's nativity but to go
with Scrooge through his various expert
ences. and to come out OF them as he did
softened and inspired with the knowledge
OF now TO keep Christmas WELL" but no
one can keep Christmas well who con-
Germs himself solely with his very own
If he would have a real Christmas he
must make it by helping the suffering
by carrying sunlight into dark places. and
doing without a little that some one less
fortunate may have more; then his oun
heart viii laugh with JOY. and what more
could one wish for7
L Question-Can YOU tell me who the author is
days ago:
Who comes 70 make formal cali
Merely 10 criticise as an
When severed By the party walls
Ny neighborl'
Answer-No. 1t is. as you doubtless
know parody on a chiId's poem called
Ny Mother" which was popular some
thirty or forty years back. The verse
you quote. together with some other
verses. remember seeing in Punch but
/ cannot give the date.
? Question: am a young woman on the sunny
sde OF thirty; my family is a deceut one: I
SPEAK French and German huently. and am most
ANXIOUS 10 meet some Of the members Of the
diplomatic Corps. but I am not in nor do
want 10 oe IN. society. 50 how shall ! bring this
abootl Ny father is dead: have no hrotherz- 20
therc II no man in household who could formally
call upon the diplomats and eventually establish A
IIlendship Can you help me solve the rrnblenn ?
lou may wonder why seek 70 know people 10 meet
nhotn ! VIII nave 10 60 very much out Of my way.
TO begin with Was brought up in Europe where
ms iRther was fur number Of years consul 7 know
foreigners better and like them better than 7 do nv
own countrylnen and ! do not from lack Of urac-
uoe care to lose my faency Of speaking the Ian
s1ases know quite a well as ! do nay own 7 dare-
say you are ChaUvinistic enough 10 be str,ck With
horror because say | like foreigners better than
DO my own conntrymen. but It Is only this: Forpiun
men take time 70 cultivate the social virtues they
take time 10 read. 10 think and II Is a Measure 10
tax TO man Of small intellect il he has cultivated
what the Lord gave him to the best Of his ability
In America the men are all money mad Their az
tentions TO women consist in sending them expensive
flowers and candy. taking them to the opera and
theater ana IN otherwise squRndering the money on
them that they have given the very best Of them
selves 20 make To be quite frank I dislike the
layishness Of American men and their inability 20
talk anything but banalities. Very truly YOURS
HOPEFUL
Answer-UnhappIly. The Arbiter can aid
you but little in your mad quest after
foreigners but dare say some Of the
rich but foolish young men who lombard
you with candy and flowers and take you
10 the theater and opera might come to
your aid If you would as frankly confess
to them as you have to me the serious
reasons for wanting to break in" TO the
diplomatic corps, for American men. even
If they 90 talk banallties-by the way. I
have often heard that they tactfuIly.
after the fashion Of Americans, suit their
speech to their audience-sre widely
known for their gallantry. and some OF