New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-05

those old days tho people who wanted
to economic sold the family mansion
In London and retired TO their country
estate. Taxes were small there, and
new clothes were not needed. There
was much hospitality. but It was sim
pie; guests were expected TO take the
ordinary fare Of their hosts and 10 en-
Joy the usual inexpensive amusement5
of the countryside. There was game
on the estate, and the home farm, the
hothouses and the kitchen garden fur
nished the table OF the lord OF the
manor. Sometimes the supplies wee
scanty, as in the case Of ono great
house mentioned by our author. which
was conducted on strictly economical
lines: 1T was said that the very nu-
merous family were reared exclusively
on rabbits and garden stuff. and that
their enfeebled constitutions and dis
NAL appearance in later life was due
to this ascetic regimen" An amusing
story concerning the home supply sys-
N'Aii - WV Va NliV lsNlu M
glesey. a brother magnate who was
staying with him in the country be-
came enthusiastic over the mutton. ami
"venturing on the privilege OF an old
friend, asked him how much It cost
him." "'Cost me?' screamed the hero.
Good Cad, II costs me nothing!
don't buy II. It's my own, and he was
beyond measure astonished when his
statistical friend proved that his own
cost him about a guinea a pound"
Mr.. Russell sorrows over the fact
that the oldtime country habits have
passed and people don't care any
longer for the quiet happiness Of coun-
try homes-they are bored, and long
for London and elaborate entertain
ments. Food in quantity and variety
has become highly important. Mr.
Gladstone, one of whose oddities It was
to consider modern luxury rather dis
gushing, used to complain that now
adays life in a country house meant
three dinners day, and, If you reck-
oned sandwiches and poached eggs at
. o'clock tea. nearly four. The Pre-
mier himself was accustomed TO give
breakfast parties, the most famous Of
the time, in Downing Street, whereat
the lions and the lionesses, il IS re-
corded, did not get much opportunity
for roaring, the host, as a rule monop-
olizing the talk. 1t was on one OF these
occasions that the company was
startled by a tremendous explosion I'm
the neighborhood, and the author heard
the young and beautiful Mary Ander-
son say to Miss Gladstone: your pa
seemed quito scared" Conversation I'm
those departed days Mr.. Russell re-
calls as entirely without reference TO
two subjects which are now constantly
brought forward-health and money.
Many are tho glimpses OF celebrities
of London society 10 be found I'm these
pages. There is Beaconsfield I'm old
age, with his black dyed hair I'm pain
full contrast to the corpselike pallor Of
his face" and 'the piercing eyes which
still bespoke his unconquerablc vital
ity." There is Gladstone in the social
crush. with his white tic working round
toward the back Of his neck and a
rose In his buttonhole, looking like a
rather unwilling captive in the hands
OF Mrs. Gladstone. There is the spruce
etical looking of poets, always delight
ing in the movement of society and
taking amiably Tennyson's growl:
Browning. I'll predict your end.
You'll die Of apoplexy in a stiff choker
at a London dinner party"