New-York tribune., 1907-09-15

,nony London households of the highest social
statUs The woman responsible for this criti-
cism has herself enjoyed taste of English So
ciety. both in London at the height of the sea-
txon and at many OF the beautiful country
places. There she was impressed first by the
'showily uniformed guards, wearing plumed hats.
hat the entrances to many of the houses and
taIso by the number OF footmen that stood at
rattention in corridors and anterooms, a though
guarding the occupants from invasion. Having,
llowever, passed safely through the portals so
aoubly guarded and enjoyed an informal admit
Tance into the family circle, she found sim
s3Iicity of manner and charm Of home life
that rarely exists. she says, among people OF
Ihe same social caste in America
Z Yet in this country representative families
Rhave uniformed guards TO stand at their
portals, nor do the entrances and corridors
1ogistie with rows of lveried flunkeys, and in
Hheir homes the same good comradeship is to be
Eound IN England. But it is harder here
than tn many other countries to gain an init
snate footing in the immediate family circle,
xor few have the time to consider individuals
hcasually met, and those closest them
lifetime friends Foreigners frequently comment
Epon the freedom with which American natrons
bare wont to address their men friends, and do
snot stop 10 consider that many OF society's gray
haired men and women grew up together in
6hildhood in the same villages or towns.
s AT BLTMoRE.
/ But this is Distressing from the topic of the
Ainple dignity that is be found in the great
spalatial establishments of some Of the social
1eaders. Take Biltmore, for instance which is
George Vanderbilt's home at Asheville. n. c.,
and a place famed far and wide for the hos
Ipitaiity Of its owners. and what more informal
scan be found than the life TO which the guests
1re treated? If one wishes to ride or drive
in
coach. are ready 10 anticipate his her desires
ssuests are included in their hosts daily plans
as if Of the family, and may follow them
not as they see fit. The necessary servants are
$50 well trained that they do not await Of
.iciously. but simply appear as if by magic. All
SIS done without ceremony. but with sufficient
system to make one thoroughly cogniZant that
the ruling of the house is done by well
rersed IL the ways of the world.
Dinner alone here IS formal but breakfast
and luncheon are served in the way that pre-
walls n all The Southern houses from Maryland
20 Mexico and has ever been the rule in the
good old Knickerbocker families find them
where you may: The cold joints for Iuncheon
helping themselves if more is required after the
butler has served them once and. withdrawn.
The children in this family are being brought
I'D with the greatest care. Their diet is chosen
from the simplest and most wholesome OF fresh
vegetables, with nourishing meats, tender anc
wei cooked and plenty of fruit instead Of tarts
and cake Everything is served simply IN thelr
nursery dining room
Lenox be cited also FOR residents whose
home life is the acme OF unaffected happiness
The young married people there who entertain
lavishIy, with the open house hospitality OF
Colonial times, form fully half Of that smart
colony, and know means 70 know all
and he admitted fellow member into their
pleasures and many Of their condolences. For
instance. or the road. invitations from passing
motors 20 turn round and come up for lunch
con shouted, and when accepted the five
q
tat which fun reigns from beginning to end
WEEKEND AT LENOX.
Here recently one weekend girl guest was met
at the train most informally by her host in run
ss8bout who greeted her with cheerful "Hallo"'
and said: Just tell the baggage-man to run
lyour little trunk over and put il at the back OF
Eihe trap. Mare frisky: can't leave her" On
1erriving at the house she found the hostess and
sthe several men who up the day previous
ION the wide veranda TO greet her. There was
lust time for hasty change before luncheon,
which served in magnifcently appointed
dining room. hung with rare old tapestries and
furnished in Venetian furniture, richly carved
tend black with age Two maids waited on
Fthe table, for there were ten pecple to be served
iRnd they disappeared between the courses
which were Of a simple nature, consisting CT
abouillon sirloin steak with French fried PC
fra+oes crisp and brown and very young lima
Ebeans; d tomato salad. and fruit pudding.
hThere were tea and claret. the former ICED ana
fserved with sprigS Of fragrant mint Cof1ee
sthere was general conversation ana AT 4 the
grnerry tar-ra-rA of the horn heard, and ali
Fvere shortly disposed the brake, and a long
fGrive taken over the perfect roads. butef
land q second man served dinner. for some neigh
Ebors Were also guests. After two rubbers Of
Sbridge the visitors departed. their hostess quite
fagreeing with them as TO the soporihc qualities
iof the good Berkshire air. On Sunday break
fast was served in each room. this arrangement
sbeing made 10 give the servants an opportunity
sfor church The morning was devoted TO visits
-c the stables and garden. After cold lunch
icon, which was quite al fTesco the maids ap-
fpearing only to change plates, for salad ana
tdessert the children arrived for their Sunday
treat of sweets with their parents, and the
4rown-ups. a long tramp through the farm
part and woods of the property came before the
sun went down, to get an appetite for dinner,
for which some of the neighbors drove over.
The weekend over, the guest was begged TO
stay on. and several successive days We're spent
in the same way. varied by informal luncheonS
at different friends houses while on a motor
"trip TO Pittsfield or Great Barrington for
l.nal dinner or two were attended and given
aand midweek dance.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
The Eastern Shore Of Maryland and Virginia
are both distinguished for their manor houses
and open handed warm hearted owners To meet
one, provided you considered OF ms class,
means an Immediate invitation for a visit, the
time named for you TO arrive. but none sug-
gested for your departures and several weeks
TO these Southerners are regarded as a weekend
would be at English home or in the more
hurried Northern states
Take Albany-outside of the political circle of
course-and meet. to know more intimately than
as a family caller. any one of the families whose
eral generations and who still have dinner on
Sunday served at 100 or O'Clock, and high
with the glimpse Of the Old World given. No
where else in tns United States can more gen
erous tables be spread than those of the wealthy
-Abanians OF stold Dutch descent and solid
Dutch wealth. The silver used as OF the most