"Will you have something to eat?"
Now you frequently hear such questions as:
"Have you seen those new stereoscopic views of the Yosemite?"
"No!"
"Please come this way and I will show you one of the most beautiful series you ever saw!"
Or: "Do let me read you, or you read to me, three of the funniest anecdotes I have seen for months!" Or: "Have you seen that remarkable statement in the papers this morning, in the circular letter from Bismark? He affirms that in twenty wars between Prussia and France, France has been the aggressor every time! If this be true, our sympathy for the French would seem to be thrown away; for after such a history, Prussia can hardly be blamed for wishing to so cripple France that she shall be unable for half a century, at least, to trouble her neighbors."
The change from "Will you have a glass of whiskey?" which was addressed to callers fifty years ago, to the question, "Will you have something to eat?" which was addressed to them twenty-five years ago, was, on the whole, a great improvement. The change which has now been inaugurated of addressing your hospitality to something above the stomach, is a still greater improvement.
When this has been fairly established, housekeepers can entertain company, in the evening, with real pleasure and profit to all concerned. When an evening sociable means a "big feed," it involves a great sacrifice; there is roasting, baking and fussing for two or three days, and the expense is such as only a few can well afford. And what is it all for? Why, I can't think of anything, unless it is to make the company sick. Does anyone doubt that eating late in the evening is injurious? And does any one doubt that the preparation and cost of the supper involve a sacrifice to the housekeeper? If these are admitted, I can't imagine any decent apology for the custom.
What shall be done? Every important movement must be inaugurated by individual action. Let those who have the idea, and the moral courage, excuse themselves from all evening refreshments, and the fashion will soon become general. It is a real pleasure to say, that already thousands have determined upon this course, so that now it is quite safe to entertain company without refreshments.
Well, after all this about what and how you should not eat, now I will tell you what and how you should eat.