The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-07

N F late my attention has frequently
 been called to the Sunday meals.
 To my mind, their arrangement
 and sequence suggest a closed &C.,
 cordion in contrast to the extend- Cd one figured by the meals of the week. days.
 If you will consider the situation for a moment you will be better able to appre- ciate my sirnile. For six days operations an the dining room are begun with an early Breakfast which permits the father of the family to get off to business and the chil- dren to school. The second repast Is of no importance in my illustration. but the closing meal whether this be dinner or supper. is usually late. marking the great est extension of the instrument.
 On Sunday the case is entirely changed. The breakfast is late and hearty. Fol lowing 1t almost before one has had & chance to rally from the first intake of food comes the heavy dinner, when every ono eats more than Is necessary because of the unusually tempting nature of the vaands. And then comes the supper earlier than is the weekday rule, in order either to permit the maid to go out or ts get some one off to church. or to clear the dishes out of the way. The accordion is shut tight!
 1 1t any wonder that after such vio- lent change from the methods pursued all the rest of the week " blue Monday" has become 6 proverb? After so-cailed day of rest and giadness one should arise re- freshed and ready for new and better efforts. but is it not true that In many households the struggle to take up the work of the day is harder and moro de- pressing on Monday than at any other time? My firm belief is that the eccen- trtcitiss of diet we practice on Sunday are responsible for many of the unpieas- ant things that may be said--and some times truly said-about Monday.
 I grant all the arguments which can be offered In favor of the present state of affairs on Sunday. I know that 1t is the only day in the week when the man Of .he house does not have to rush through his toilet and breakfast in order to go to his work. when the children may be leisurely. with no thought of the claims of school or of play calling them from their bed. recognize all the charms of an extra doze and a sense of freedom from the necessity of hurry.
 More than that, 1t Is entirely natural that an especially good breakfast should be provided for those who on this occasion have a chance to enjoy 1t with delibera- ton, and would be the last one in the world to veto an attractive menu for Sun day morning Let us honor the day in every way that we can. But do we honor 1t when we have big dinner at 1 or o'clock and follow this by loaf " which leaves us cross and irritable?
 I may be doing something like subvert- ing the foundations of the republic when I utter protest against Sunday dinner in the middle of the day, but Is a con- promise not possible which will mean no more work for the housekeeper and will make less strain upon the digestive organs Of the entire family7
 One household know where the boast is that there Is no regular Sunday dinner. Breakfast is the usual late and substan- tial meal. and at midday cross between luncheon and dinner is presented. A good hot dish is feature. and this Is accom- panied by one vegetable or a salad, and always there is nice dessert, generally one which has been prepared the day