A “ SMALL JOLLY.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3297, 16 August 1911, Page 8

A “ SMALL JOLLY.”

DUCHESSES SUP ON THE FLOOR.

SITTING ON RUGS. A WONDERFUL SUPPER

Unconventional to a degree was «-u entertainment given recently by Sir Philip Burne-Jones and Sir Richard and Lady Muriel Paget, at Sir Philips house in Egerton Crescent. The invitation card described the entertainment as a “Small Jolly” and jolly re certainly was. The house resembled an atelier in the Quarter Latin in the days of Du Maurier. There were no floral decoration, no formal reception, and no chairs. But for guests who desired to be seated rugs had been thrown about the floors in artistic disorder in the narrow hall and in the little back yard, where London pride, shrubs, and lilac busnes struggle for existence, and on these the distinguished guests squatted. In the diningroom beneath a skylight a little gallery styled “the box” had been erected. There was room in this elevated place of honor for six persons, but to reach it they had to negotiate a step ladder such as is used by a window cleaner. The picture when the box' was full, and the guests were seated on the floor, on the stairs, and in odd nooks and corners, the men smoking long churchwardens and many of the women cigarettes, was decidedly comical. Those who needed liquid refreshments had to go into a corner of one of the rooms and help themselves from a big cask of lager beer wreathed in great hops. Songs with choruses in which all joined were sung in a fiee and easy manner, and the golden lager was quaffed from mugs and tankards. - As the night progressed Greek singers with mandolines sang delightful songs in the largest of Sir Philip’s studios. For the occasion tiaras and crowns had been left at home, and the dresses worn were not so elegant as those seen in the Abbey on Coronation Day, although many smart costumes were to be noted. Japanese lamps and Chinese lanterns illuminated the back yard, and Sir Philip’s kindly neighbor next door gave right ■ of trespass, so that guests had room to promenade. Strangely inconsistent with the Boreniian character of the entertainment was a wonderful supper made up of rare delicacies. such as red caviare, langouste, quails, and ortolans, vintage wines, and all manner c-f good things, served on the floor, on the chairs, or any little space where there was room to deposit a plate. j