Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1898 — SOCIETY IN SIBERIA. [ARTICLE]

SOCIETY IN SIBERIA.

Hoateiß and Guests Frequently Retire to Kitchen to Cook and Kat. At one of the grand balls I attended at Krasnoyarsk, writes Thomas G. Allen, Jr., of “Fashionable Siberia,” in Ladies’ Home Journal, I was impressed by the profusion of flowers used in the decoration of the ballroom, and which had bceu imported from Europe at enormous expense, and also by the importance given to the matter of refreshments. Although there appeared to be about four girls to one man, the male portion of the company spent the greater part of the evening at the buffet, or zokooski table, eating and drinking. The conversation of the women, I found, was most conventional, and one could invariably anticipate the same remarks upon an introduction to a lady. Knowledge of French, which I was surprised to find few could speak; is considered the most graceful feminine accomplishment. The kitchen, however, for the lady of the land a peculiar fascination. Very often while dressed in silks and satins, and conversing with her guests, a hostess will proceed to fry a “blin” or pancake, and eat it with the greatest gusto. Tho other ladies arc at liberty to follow the hostess’ example if they choose.