automobile trips
the automobilist as host—provision for comfort of guests—duties of guest—dress and luggage—automobile picnics—entertainment of chauffeur—when a visit becomes a visitation.
the owner of an automobile is able to entertain his friends in a pleasant way with comparatively little trouble. he can take them out for a spin without interfering with the machinery of the household or giving extra work to the servants. almost every one enjoys motoring in warm weather, and it is easy to stop for luncheon at a country club or an inn or to have a picnic by the wayside, should the owner of the car wish to show more than mere “carriage hospitality.” the trip may be short or long, as he pleases, and as he thinks will be agreeable to his guests. if these are persons who are not young, or who are unaccustomed to motoring, he must be careful not to take them too far nor too fast. the fatigue of going a long distance at a rapid rate is a severe tax on the uninitiated. it is well to have the excursion include some object of interest, such as a beautiful piece of scenery or fine buildings. during the great heat, motoring for its own sake is found very refreshing, simply because the rapidity of the motion makes every one feel cool. in winter few people care to go out for pleasure trips, but many persons continue to use their cars as a quick and convenient way of getting about, when the snow and mud are not too bad. it is a kind attention to lend a friend one’s automobile for a shopping tour or for paying visits. she should not detain it a moment after the hour named for its return. if none has been mentioned, she may be able to find out from the chauffeur how much time the trip is expected to occupy, or calculate it herself, remembering that one should not overtax the generosity of a friend. having decided upon the hour when the car should return, it is well to say to the chauffeur, “please let me know when it is time to turn back.” one should in any event use the car only for a moderate distance, since every mile traversed costs a certain sum.
the automobilist who has invited one or more ladies to go out with him stops for them in his car. arrived at their dwelling, he asks to have them informed that the car is there, and waits for them in the reception or drawing-room. he assists his guests to enter the car, and wraps the robe carefully around them, tucking it in at the sides. in winter, plenty of fur or heavy woolen robes should be provided. in summer lighter ones will suffice, with linen covers to protect the dresses from the dust. for an open car, it is well to have several pairs of goggles of different kinds on hand, and to offer these to the guests if a long trip is contemplated or if the roads are dusty. the host asks whether the ladies would like the windows open or closed, and the wind-shield up or down. in the course of the trip he repeats these inquiries, especially if there is a strong breeze blowing, or if a change occurs in the weather. having made sure that his guests are comfortably settled, he climbs in and takes his place. while the tonneau, or main body of the automobile, is held to be the place of honor, because it is less exposed than the front seats, the latter are really more comfortable in many cars because the motion is less felt there. hence if the host is driving himself, he will ask whether any of his guests would like to sit beside him. some young lady will probably prefer to do so, unless he is a very tiresome person. a good driver does not go too fast, and proceeds with caution over the rough places, in order not to shake up the occupants of the car.
the host decides in what direction the trip shall be, although he may very properly ask whether his guests would like to go there. if requested to do so, the latter are at liberty to express their choice. a courteous person does not insist, however, on being taken in any special direction. where the proposed trip is a long one, and the guest has a later engagement, he should say frankly: “i should enjoy very much going to ——, but i fear there will not be time, as i have promised to be down-town at five o’clock.”
if the excursion is to be an all-day or overnight affair, it is usually arranged beforehand. when the owner of the car invites the party to go with him at his expense and makes this evident by saying explicitly, “i want you all to be my guests for the trip,” he pays the hotel bill and all other costs. he acts as host just as he would in his own house, ordering the meals and naming the hours when they shall be served. he should inquire whether any of the party would like to have breakfast served in their own rooms. he plans the whole trip and lays out the course to be traversed each day.
there are some circumstances, however, under which the automobilist may very properly offer only a limited hospitality to his guests. thus, it may happen that a number of friends all wish to go to see a football game or other athletic contest in a neighboring town. if one of the number then offers to take them there in his car, it is understood of course that his hospitality extends only to the means of transportation. all procure their tickets beforehand, and the expense of the entertainment at the hotel is divided among them. when one is doubtful on which plan the trip is to be conducted, one should by all means endeavor to pay one’s share. it is best in a case of this sort for a single individual to speak for the rest. he can say when the time comes for payment, “you must let us know, john, what our share of the hotel bill is.” or it could be proposed beforehand that one of the number should act as treasurer. this is an ungrateful office to fill, since some one is apt to forget to pay, and dunning friends is an unpleasant task. the man selected should not be the host, who may be thought to have done his share. he should, however, be the richest man of the party; first, because it will be easier for him than for his poorer comrades to bear any loss should there be one; second, because in nine cases out of ten rich people care more about money than poor ones; third, because they are more accustomed to making financial arrangements. hence the job of collecting is less difficult for them. a guest should embark on a motor-trip with the intention of having a good time and enjoying all that there is to be enjoyed. he should be prepared to take any delay or mishap with cheerful philosophy. a man or a woman who possesses the true spirit of sport will not sulk or complain if the tire bursts or the engine for some mysterious reason refuses to work. all complicated machinery is liable to accident, and if one enjoys all the advantages of very rapid motion, one must expect from time to time to experience the drawbacks. neither should one take it in dudgeon if rain comes on. the host cannot be expected to insure good weather. a guest sitting in the rear must not talk to the driver. the latter must constantly watch the road, and cannot turn his head to speak to any one behind him without risk of accident.
the automobile practically annihilates distance, thus greatly increasing the number of places which can be readily reached from any given spot. a picnic to which the company go in motor-cars may be ten, twenty, or more miles away. if many people are to take part in it, the site must be selected with great care. when half a dozen friends go off for a frolic, it does not so much matter what sort of place they choose, because if it does not come up to their expectations they can eat their luncheon without leaving the car. for a larger number all the arrangements should be carefully made in advance. a committee of one or more should visit the chosen spot beforehand, and get the owner’s permission to hold the picnic there. it is very sad for a party of friends on pleasure bent to be warned off the grounds just as they have their whole luncheon unpacked and spread out on the grass. yet this frequently happens at places in the neighborhood of summer resorts. the city visitor, misled by the uncultivated aspect of some beautiful spot, fails to realize that it is private property, and that the owners may find it extremely inconvenient to have their premises constantly invaded and their privacy destroyed. some owners are willing to allow picknickers to come to their places, provided permission is obtained beforehand, the débris removed, and no damage done to the trees and shrubs. the vandalism of certain summer visitors is hardly believable. they will calmly leave the unsightly and unwholesome remains of their repast lying about to offend the eyes and nostrils of later comers and to breed flies. farmers and others sometimes make a regular charge for letting their grounds for the day.
our committee of one should choose a spot where the grass is not too long, and should find out whether there is any danger of an incursion by cattle. it is very desirable to select a place near shade-trees. luncheon-baskets furnished with knives, forks, etc., can now be readily purchased. cold water, fruit-punch, or lemonade and hot coffee may be conveniently transported in thermos bottles. some people carry chafing-dishes and prepare scrambled eggs, mushrooms, or welsh rarebit on the spot. it is usual to have every one contribute some article to the bill of fare at a picnic. in order that there shall not be a surplus of one article and a shortage of another, the persons or committee who get up the affair should arrange with each individual or party what they shall bring. if there are tables at the appointed rendezvous, cold ham, chickens, etc., may be brought whole. if the cloth is to be spread upon the grass, the carving should all be done beforehand. the idea of a picnic is that it shall be a more or less unceremonious occasion, yet care must be taken that informality does not degenerate into slovenly disorder. the food should all be done up neatly and daintily, napkins of paper, if not of linen, should be provided, also knives and forks and spoons where these will be needed.
the best results are secured by deputing two or more persons to arrange the table, instead of intrusting this task to the whole company. when the feast is ready the gentlemen pass the dishes to the ladies, but it is a part of the fun to have the latter assist in the work. if there are older people present, they are asked to sit still and be waited upon. at formal picnics the table is arranged and the food set out by servants. impromptu vaudeville, charades, tableaux, or songs with guitar accompaniment make a pleasant ending to the affair, where time permits. dancing has always been popular on these occasions. they are often held at some place of resort which boasts a hall or open-air platform for the dancers.
in dressing for a trip in a motor-car, a woman should wear a small, close-fitting hat or an automobile bonnet. this and the large veil covering it should be securely fastened down, so that there will be no danger of their blowing away. all superfluous ribbons and streamers should be avoided for the same reason. a dust-cloak of linen or pongee is a great protection in summer. as such a garment affords little warmth, the tourist should provide herself with a cloth coat also. men wear small caps and dusters or light overcoats. since there is little room for luggage on a car, a guest who is invited to go for a tour should take as little as possible, packing it in a suit-case or bag, or small automobile trunk, if she has received permission to carry one. since motoring is extremely dusty business, it is well to take a change of costume to wear in the evening, if this is to be spent at an inn. foulards and india silks are excellent for this purpose, as they weigh so little and are not easily creased or tumbled. if one has not space for an entire gown, a dressy waist should be carried.
the craze for motoring has developed many wayside inns scattered along the routes most frequented by tourists. some of these are ancient hostelries, or reproductions of the same, charmingly furnished in ye olden style. here travelers by automobile stop for lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner, or to spend the night. as inn-keepers sometimes charge the owners of motor-cars extortionate prices, those who wish to avoid great expense should carry lunch-baskets with them. they can then arrange an impromptu picnic by the wayside and so be independent of landlords, should the latter be unreasonable in their charges. indeed, many people consider these wayside lunches part of the fun of a motor-trip. they start off for a tour of several days, equipped with a large basket containing plenty of provisions. some picturesque spot is chosen for the daily picnic, the basket being replenished at shops or hotels en route, should this be necessary.
people who wish to go on a motor-trip in europe now find it better to take over their own car and chauffeur, rather than to hire these on the other side of the water. it is necessary, however, to procure a permit allowing the party to cross from one country into another. otherwise the traveler is subject to vexatious delays at the frontiers. the owner of a car must always remember that the chauffeur, like the passengers, requires food at regular intervals. sometimes an allowance is made to him and he gets his meals where he likes; sometimes his employer arranges for his entertainment. as he is usually of a better class than the ordinary domestic, he is not willing to eat with the servants. he prefers to take his meals after his employer, but at the same table. if the latter is visiting at an expensive inn, and there are cheaper ones of a suitable character in the neighborhood, he may request his chauffeur to dine or spend the night at one of these, furnishing him with the money.
instead of staying at an inn, the automobilist sometimes makes a visit to friends in the country. where this is by invitation, the host entertains the chauffeur, or arranges to have him cared for in the neighborhood. as the touring party probably consists of two or three people in addition, such a visit, if prolonged, may readily become a tax on the hospitality of the host. hence the stay should be limited to one or two nights, else it may become a “visitation.”
if a party of motorists stop to lunch or spend the night at a friend’s house without previous invitation, they should endeavor to provide for the entertainment of their chauffeur elsewhere, since it would hardly be courteous to put this additional strain on the hospitality of their host.
