New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-25
ON THANKSGIVING DAY.
Festivities as Observed at Country Houses
and Clubs

and Clubs
OF all the holidays throughout the year only
Christmas can surpass Thanksgiving Day IN the
matter q family gatherings and particularly is
this noticeable In the many country club colonies
where it is made an occasion OF all manner of
ioIIties which are crowded ruthlessy into the one
day and for which every house in the place is
filed to overlooking with relatives first. friends
next and lastly the friends of both relatives ana
friends.
Thanksgiving coming on Thursday means that
the weekend is thrown in for good measure and
extended festivities but the day itself is considered
the most important of all the events The mem
bers of each colony invariably divided into two
distinct sets on this day. matter how united
at other times the one giving the oid-fashioned
Thanksgiving Day dinner. with recipes trotted out
for each savory dish from the oldest cookbook in
the family. and the other taking in all that the
club holds attractive. having dinner at
night instead of at the regulation Thanksgiving
hour of o'clock
Go into any Of the large railway stations
Wednesday Of Novembers last week aqd there
will be found the flower of the ctys society. ready
to board private cars or the trains that make best
time They their way to join some house
party. and they have with them their most capti-
waiting frocks if feminine and their sportest riding
togs If masculine for hunting is the order OF the
following day fog all men, and even for some of
the women. The hounds ordinarily meet in the
morning Of Thanksgiving Day and the is
by little past midday. when the hunters either
&c to the hunt breakfast served at the club at
some one of the huge country houses, else dis
perse to the various homes for the tremendous
dinner awaiting them at 5 O'Clock. And after the
breakfast or the dinner, in whatever part of the
colony silence reigns, for bridge is taken to
as digester in these days. Just Too was
played in the time of George III. Those who do
not care for bridge either taken of for spin
in the motor. winding up the club for tea a
pick neup' before returning home, else go for
a walk around the property
With evening, after a light dinner or supper
that also of grandmother's cook book. there
is dance to go to somewhere. This is either very
elaborate or else OF the barn dance order. 1t is al
ways an open question which is the more enjoya-
ble-the formal affair the strictly
formal-but there is always this to BE- noted. that
few good fellows" can infuse much life into
& formal dance into informal. and the
same time the sedate element will enjoy
themselves. which they would not do all if the
affair too informal.
The popularity of Thanksgiving Day festivities
is that all go and all stay to the end of every
thing the taps. and uncles aunts and parents
serve as a slight check the ardor Of the younger
set. However, if all have agreed that a barn dance
is TO be the wind-up. 1t is indeed pretty sight
for many decorations in the way of pine
branches. pumpkins. corn shocks and chrysanthe-
NUNS available for the purpose that car
riage house can be converted into a beautiful set
ting for the pink-coated squires and musn-frocked
damsels that come 70 dance to the tunes OF fiddle
banjo. The floor is covered with heavy crash
sc that deux-temps and vaIse are as much of a
delight as well waXed parQuet. Virginia reel
begins and ends the affair and feature of the
evenings fun is the finding of a red ear Supper
is made simple any wealthy hostess can
make it, but it must be confessed that champagne
flows where cider formerly refreshed and that other
changes in the farmers feast" have likewise been
made to suit the epicures
The rest Of the weekend is spent in dinner Civ
ing, driving, golfing and hunting. when the course
is in any kind OF condition With a stable fun of
good horses garage holding several cars and
house that will hold many guests, IA rCh woman
has it in her power 10 give u vast amount Of pleas
with her Thanksgiving weekend invitations