Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1899 — SOCIETY IN SIBERIA. [ARTICLE]

SOCIETY IN SIBERIA.

Hwstesa and .Guests Frevseutlr tire te Kitchen to Cook and Kat. At «ma of the grand balls I attended at Krasnoyarsk, writes Thomas G. Allan, Jr M 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 been imparted 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 i omaxks 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, has for the lady of the land a peculiar fascination. Very often while dressed in silks and satins, a’nd conversing with her guests, a hostess will proceed to fry a “blin” or pancake, and eat it with the greatest gusto. The other ladies are at liberty to follow the hostess’ example if they choose.