The Washington times., 1907-10-13
Are We SIaUeS
TO Custom of
Feeding GueStS3
By IRENE GARDNER.

~. PINIONS. like talents. differ.
There are many men who
consider that a woman never
appears TO better advantage
than when she IS presiding gracefully
at a dinner party. Such a hostess they
look upon as the acme Of all womanly
greces.
On the other hand, know a man
who seldom accepts an invitation to
dinner because. as he puts II. 1T seems
positively vulgar for a woman 10 en-
terrain her friends by feeding them"
In his mind the most charming woman
becomes common when playing the
part OF a dinner hostess.
Then. again. there IS Ouida, the
french novelist. whose present condi-
ton OF poverty e becoming a matter
OF worldwide gossip. She. II you will
remember. In her novel, "Othmar.''
stated that Il was barbarous for the
members Of a family 20 gather to-
gether at one common table for the
purpose OF eating. IN her opinion ali
eaung should be done in private. As
Ior entertaining az q dinner! Wen.
she considered that 20 spend ones dime
ana money and thought on what and
how 10 feed ones friends was nothing
short Of barbarous.
And yet. again, there Is tks writer
In q British weekly who but a rbort
time ago said; 1T has been lset 20
woman 70 make dinner an exhfbIttor
she asks for the very things which her
grandmother despised-spectators
This is Z ding. OF course. at women
VINO enjoy diping IN restaurants A ens
apparel 49,
II these various opinions could be All
shaken together and one evolved As the
result II would. perhaps. be sana
view OF the matter. The trouble 4.
"nen men and women begin 70 form
opinions regarding such a pdase az
society they generally 20 70 the en-
IRENE
But when you come 60 think ~ 81
ealInly. isn't II strange that a zornsD
wiz exhaust all her best phvaical
strength and Intellect IN getting m a
uiiler' or feeding party as one man
mas called tit She Will ponder over
hef menu for days before thu dinner
spend no end OF time IN doing 80
marketing, work like a slave ov.1
stove and ice cream freezer the oaV
OF the important event. then SIT dow
and watch her guests al thernseIve.
that their physical natures NAV b
overnourished!
IN this country no horns aee-ns really
open to a friend until Ia has bea1
asked 20 eat In II No matter boyv
talented the various msmberu OF that
nome may be, nor how much pleasure
some exhibition OF those talents might
give him, the friend. Is not sntertaIned
IN that way. He must use knife ana
York and spoon. and feed
Do We go out 20 spend thu evenin9
there must be refreshments for the
oody whether or not the soul has any.
The whole spirit OF the evening centers
round the eating time. II nothing 70
Feed upon IS served then Is the hos
pitaltty Of that home looked mon
askaace
X would be interesting to know how
much money Is spent In this country
each day on the mere ceremony OF
eating. leaving out the cost OF the food
and Its preparation. counting n only
the money spent on It's serving and the
table appointments Possibly the cost
or the dinner gowns worn by the
ladies' might also be Included.
Are We slaves 20 the habit Of eatfnR7
Do We make too much OF the dinner
or luncheon OF breakfast Is II all a
species Of barbarism7 Is a woman AT
her worst when she presides at her own
taoie reSaiing her guests with food