A CURIOUS AUSTRIAN CUSTOM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

A CURIOUS AUSTRIAN CUSTOM.

ArsTRrA-Hr-NGARY on Easter Monday is no place for an Englishwoman, as the author of "Recollections of a Royal Governess " discovered. She describes the scene at a luncheon party thus:— "We had finished our dessert, when suddenly Count Potocki seized his fingerbasin, and, raising it high in the air, deliberately emptied the contents upon the Paris hat of the lady on his right. With that signal every man at the table caught up jugs and carafes, and a wild tumult ensued, the deluge sparing none. The table was a lake of running water. Exquisite creations of French millinery wilted and became masses of damp straw and muslin; toilettes from Yienna ran their wet colours into petticoats from Paris; powder disappeared, and fringes hung in straight, unbecoming wisps; dainty, silk-stockinged feet sloshed in their soaked slippers. For myself, I had taken refuge behind a tall palm, where presently I was discovered by a small gentleman, who rushed wildly at me, a carafe in his hand. So enraged" was I at the bare thought of such an indignity being perpetrated on me that I drew mvself up to the full height of my sft lOin," glared ferociously at him. and exclaimed in my most tragic tone (it would have been a tragedy for me if my lace dress had been spoilt) 'Ne Morgena, Xe Morgena.' The little gentleman was very much astonished at finding any opposition to the fun. but it was explained that the lady was an Englishwoman, which apparently excused everything. In a short time our carriage was announced, the drenched ladies were wrapped well in rugs, tucked into their equipages, and we were driven swiftly home.''