Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-01
Ideal Gathering Place.

Win tHree great mirrors reaching from
wainscoting to cornice. topped with the
arms of the ducal proprietor of old. its
gilded and frescoed ceiling. it's massive
cabinets of black Flemish oak-not the
product of modern mill-its artistic pic
lures. it is an ideal center of assem-
blaSe. There is. however. one modern
touch besides the stove. During dinner
which is served zen famille," with no
maid in attendance. when something is
wanted from the kitchen below stairs.
an electric button is pressed and in a
moment a small mat near the wall rises
and beneath it appears a three-storied
serving elevator. worked from beneath
by crank. 1t is a bit of domestic
magic which has its uses besides bring
ing kitchen and dining room into con-
junction.
Dinner in a Brussels home is not a
formal function, but it is joyous affair.
Usually meal lasts at least an hour;
Sundays dinner runs from ] O'Clock to
20 This does not mean tremendous
overlooking of the table. hut with each
course, and between courses, there is
abundant talking. much laughing and
exchanging of anecdotes. The auto
matte serving elevator. which has no
ears. tells no tales. while even the most
faithful maid might hear more than she
could endure to keep to herself. The
mistress of the house supervises her own
kitchen. plans her service and manages
the establishment. From time to time
during the day members of the family
who are connected with the business
come in from the bureau i . the court
and rest from their labors. to smoke
and chat. Yet the shop is not brought
into the home. Close as they are the
! two are not brought together
! Sunday Supper at Restaurant.
Once a week all Brussels--of the great
1 rr1if tla Loo toll
away from home That is on Sunday
night, when the servants are freed from
their tasks and everybody wants a
| change. So last evening we started forth
soon after dark and went to see the life
Of the central boulevard. where thou
sands congregate. 1t was raining, as in
| deed II has been almost continuously
from the early morning of our landing
day. But the dampness seemed to dis
courage nobody. Umbrellas cleaned in
the brilliant electric lights of the Boule-
ward Anspach and its continent streets
like myriads of shining black toadstools
in constant motion. Even the outdoor
cafes along the sidewalks were patron,
lzed. The flower women and news vend.
| ers cried their wares. Balloon sellers
ADDED spots of brightness to the scene
| Family groups with children-some ir
arms-made their way through the
crowds. headed for their favorite res
| taurantS.
| Every place was crowded. In the music
cafes. where high-claSs compositions are
eXcellently rendered. seats at the mar
row tables were at premium. We tried
one place in search of the favorite Bel
gian dish. mussels. and found no room
There were thirty people seated in
space about twelve feet by Fifteen Will
walters scurrying around with dishes
Finally we went to one of the Institution
al establishments. DE Nieux Bruxe!les.
or the Old Brussels. proclaimed on tn,
outer walls as a Sale de Devastation.
where from one tiny room to another
all crowded with people. we advanced il
single file, six of lis, until in the las
room of all We found seats. There W,
were served with steamed mussels, cole
fish and pork chops. with beer or coffee
according to taste. and the bill for every
thing for all Ska complete and tast,
upper-luncheon-was $40. while cent
went to each of two very poor musicians
the only poor ones I have heard here
who passed their hats: and cents wen
| to the waiter total cost of $50. Jus
AS we were leaving a man came around
| co lectinS coins in a metal box for som'
purpose. which was explained in sucf
| rapid French that the philan shropiC
spirit had no time to arrest our progress
Draws Line at Snails.
| DE EieuX BruXelles,' l may explain. j:
characteristic establishment, where Sc;