COLONIAL HOSPITALITY.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 115

COLONIAL HOSPITALITY.

Oue of the peculiar characteristics of some sections of the leaders of ton in the colonies is. a. mawkish prudery and reticence as to their social reunions, little tiffins, and parties ._ . They dispense their hospitality as they do their benevolence, so that their left hand knoweth not what their right doth. This is owing to tlie fact, however, that in a great many cases there is really nothing for the left hand to know. . When it is suggested to these leaders of fashion that some account of their ceremonial dinners \ and parties might with propriety be pxiblishcd "m. papers like the Obseever, . they shrug their shoulders and put on an. affectation of modest humility, or roughly snub the joiirnalist .who dares to offer the suggestion. ; Now, wEile genuine modesty is a very praiseworthy virtue 'in., „ its way, there is such a thing as, overdoing itji;^ : when it becomes mere Hypocrisy and slijam.- Of '„ course it is altogether a matter of taste whTetfier . , or not a man chooses f to. publish his hospitality tp^ ; .the world, and there are cases in whibn it would -;; savour of vulgar ostentation to do so. But'wKea? ;?

» person occupies a public or influential position, either by virtue of his wealth or his talents, he must not complain if the people who read the newspapers manifest an interest in his doings, and desire to know all about the festivities and rejoicings of the fashionable society in which he moves. If a man is in a position to make a bid for popularity by means of grand dinners, balls, and parties, he has no right to grumble if the people whose favour in the end he hopes to gain by those means seek to judge of his fitness for popular approval by the character of the company lie keeps, and the style and extent of his hospitality . Exposure to public curiosity is one of the penalties which the gi-eat man pays for popularity. This is well understood and recognised in England, where the aristocratic, fashionable, and political leaders take care to have their grand assemblies duly chronicled in the World, Truth, the Whitehall Review, Vanity Fair, or some one or more of the recognised organs of fashion. A monarchy or an aristocracy which ceased to make a display of wealth and social splendour would soon cease to retain the respect of the plebeian masses. There is something of (jaucherie and, clownishness in the timidity of public men, whose hospitality is designed to secure popular! ty shrinking from the public curiosity, while in many other Avays they descend to vulgar ostentation. But in some cases it is not false modesty, but prudence that dictates reticence. The host is afraid of publicity lest some of his clients and customers should discover that they have been omitted, and should take offence at a fancied slight, or lest there should appear in the list of invitants the names of men of questionable character and antecedents, whose wealth and influence the host dare not despise consistently ■with his own prospects of commercial success.