AN ONLOOKER'S NOTE-BOOK. • •
[To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR,—In the Spectator of June 21st you quote a story from "An Onlooker's Note-Book" describing the meals provided for a Duke and Duchess on a, country visit. May I say that
this story considerably understates the fade? Such is the hateful luxury of the present day that no ordinary hostess thinks of inviting young men, officers, and such like .to her country hoinie without being prepared to supply them with new milk and whisky or liqueurs in bed every morning, and with large bottles of Eau de Lubin or Eau de Cologne in their baths. From my own personal knowledge I can state that most of the officers with whom I was acquainted, and who served in South Africa, were supplied throughout the campaign with these latter luxuries. These are the men who take thousands of quails to Norway and require champagne daily there, where twenty years ago we were well satisfied indeed with salmon, game, and delicious, wholesome beer. I must not take up your space by denouncing further what I have deplored so long,—the debasing, enervating luxury of the men of the present day, who, if you fail to provide such luxuries, describe you as "doing it on the cheap," &c.—I am,
[Though we have the fullest assurance that our corre- spondent speaks from knowledge on what goes on in English country houses, we must venture with all respect to assure her that she has been misinformed, if not hoaxed, as to our officers, if she imagines that she has personal knowledge that they had milk and liqueurs in bed and Eau de Lubin or Eau de Cologne in their baths in South Africa. The thing is a physical im- possibility. They very seldom bad either beds or baths. As to country-house gorging and perfuming, there is no doubt a great deal too much of it, but it seems to us that the hosts and hostesses are quite as much to blame as the guests. It is the nature of man to " sample " anything and everything in the way of luxuries that are obtainable, but when he does not get them offered to him he goes without. Our hostess would probably say, " No, he stops away." Very well, then let him atop away. Why should people insist on filling their country houses with self-indulgent, self-conceited guests, who are almost sure to be as dull as they are luxurious and effeminate P—ED. Spectator.]
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