Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-26
Ladies, Lunch ICONS and Afternoon
Teas


ladies' luncheon may be said to be the pre-
sent luxurious daughter Of the old fashioned
quilting party. When the Pilgrim Fathers
went of 70 their work, the Pilgrim Mothers
met In the afternoon to quilt and to chat, and
doubtless to taste OF some excellent Gates. The
men ala leave their homes nowadays early,
lunch down town, and dine at seven, so the
feminine portion Of the community, left thus
alone, desiring to meet, have hit upon the
ladies' lunch. quite the most luxurious outcrop
OF the modern Augustan era
Round tables, holding twenty eight, at which
the company seated can see each other, and
talk across have been hastily tmprovtsed
this winter. The table Is brought IN two
pieces by the caterer, and fastened together In
the house IL Is then laid on top OF the oTdi.
nary extension table, and covered with red
cloth. over this is thrown a white damask
cover, or one OF the new open work monte
crtss- crossed with open insertion Of lace or en-
byoidery. This allows the red TO show through
the interstices, and has beautiful effect, such
Tome and Vibert, who devote much attention
10 elaborate table-clotns liz their pictures. The
table is then laid with all the best china and
glass and silver, and with magnificent flowers
as center piece; also with a bouquet
for each lazy. with long ribbon at
tached, on which Is painted her name
IN full. with little reticuIe5 OK silk highly
oTnamented. containing bonbons and often
with fans; or little japanese c2sket5 ai50 hold
Ing bonbons, are added. These gifts are to be
taken home, and are laid at each plate. O5s
served; then crab or lobster croq1ettes. oou-
chees Ia refine, sweetbread5. Met de otelf,
mushrooms on toast, or kindred Injuries,
followed by delicious sorpet OF. Roman punch,
which is served In little pink slippers, or boats.
or roses made OF china. These are sometimes
given TO the guests as we'll as the fans and
Bouquets; they have to be taken out and washed
first. however, and brought back. Canvas back
duck or some sort OF game follows the s0rbet;
then salad, cheese, ices fruits always includ-
ing strawberries in early spring If they can be
Doughty Coffee Is served In the drawing room
The wines, which are freely poured out, are
Chateau iqueln with the fish; Champagne and
claret and sherry. These are seldom drunk.
AS wor1en cannot drink much Ttne particu-
larry In the middle Of the day, no doubt the
wine which Is poured generally becomes the
perQusite of the walters.
The meal thus becomes a dinner In the mid
Gle OF the day, and is very heavy and luxurious
The luncheon occupies from one O'Clock to half
past three, and ladies vie with each other as to
which shall give the handsomesU .fayors and
flowers. One or two ladies this winter present.
ed Baskets OF field flowers. clovers, Daisies
lilies ot-the valley, grasses, and danodIls which
was the height Of luxury Ia February. The
daisy now ranks as an exotic, although 1t Is the
pest OF the farmer in July. However, 1t Iaust
oe observed that the splendid roses OF the
present, Jacqueminot Cornela cook, Marshal
Neil, and Gloire de PARIS, are very favorite
offerings. Nothing can exceed the luxury OF
New York winter MOVERS. st one luncheon q
lady offered the old. fashioned palm. leaf fam
with roses fastened on the flaJ surface. Every
flirt OF the fan brought a breeze laden with
perfume Bands are often stationed In the halls
TO play for those luncheon eaters so that every
sense is graufied
Ladies wear always bonnets and street dresses,
ana generally dark ones at these lunches. The
pTocaGeG yelvets nave been faVorite luncheon
Dress this winter. The LADY of the house wears
very handsome dark dress, high In the throat
With long sleeves. There Is no limit as to eX-
pense III dress, but light silks would be in bad
TASTE and White bonletS hare not been much
in favor at these morning parties. although so
fashionable last winter. JeWelry OF sober
pattern alone is adinissl ole. Diamond sOitaires
Only or the diamond tribe are considered in
order In the daytime.
or course these luncheons vary from six PEG.
pie up 10 tTenty-eight, which is the limit OF
four or five courses TO fourteen. The most
fashionable and opulent people do not Away S
give the japanese BOXES and fans, but flo ers
are always In order, and the fashion has been
In favor OF the most luxurious and expensive
lunches during the late gay season.
conversation is generally very quiet, often
witty and full CT allusion TO the last new novel,
the opera and the gay gossip OF society. Scan
dial IS almost never talked. The we'll bred
women OF society never talk scandal In groups,
however much they may do SO alone. Its due
that the figure of Silence, with her finger on
her lip seems to have place In their dining
rooms. as il had in the Greek vestibule. Women
are epiGranInattc and witty when pleased. and
q volume might be made OF the good things
dropped at ladies' lunches in New York. So far
as we know, Is "ladies' lunch" Is a peculiarly
american fashion, and has no prototype in
London or Paris. The invitations are generally
sent out q fortnight In advance in the height Of
the season, and are wGrded thus:
MIS- Brown requests the pleasure of Mrs.
Jones company at lunch On Thursday Feoru-
airy "a. at one O'Clock {seated)."
This last cabaltstic word Is very necessary IS
II insures punctuality.
When lady invites her dear hundred friends
10 & banquet IN mid day, she does not add mat
WoT0; SO guest who Is invited to ..5taHi uu
lunch need Lot be SO particular as 10 her rlm3
OF arriving. These ''stand-up lunches" are
agreeable, but lot SO Compliments y as an in
yItation TO a ''siJ-doWn lunch" No fAvors are
given, nor Is there so grear q choice or eleggn
dishes. Beautiful flowers adorn the table, bu
are not offered In Bouquets Music IA often
added 10 these lunches.
Afternoon tea lhorn OF the London fashion.
Where Tea Is taken after the ride Or drlYa. or
mere frequently, in country houses, after the
i11gues OF hunting, when the company come
III VET, tireo, and dragged, ana The ladies don
the Low fashionable tea gown, and the men
velvet coats and knlckerbockers) has been
most strangely perverted In New York to mean
party oy daylight. Tea at four O'clock" on
card, may mean splendid banquet, or 1t may
mean one cup OF tea with biscuit. 1t Is the
FORM Which social intercourse most frequently
taxes. 1t Is convenient, for the gentlemen can
come up town al that hour particularly on
saturday afternoons, and the ladies can drive
aoous 10 Two OF three OF these symposiums OF
an afternoon. Ia black Or sombre dresses, with
out much trouble. only the name Is mis-.
nomer II The visitor finds her hostess IN white
sdtIn, WIN SaS-nght, and noWerS, and the
smell OF fle0 oysters poisoning the air.
Inc mCst fashionable queens of society rarely
oHer anything at these teas" however. but
tea, chocolate, and b0uilion, with perhaps a
bowl or punch on the sideboard for a thfrsty
soul: Lemonade should always be rememberei.
1CT me heat and the talking make every one
thirsty. sometimes an ice is not out or place
Gut no one should oTer heavy entertainment
at 1our O'CLOCK. fer 1t spells the dinner. Indeed,
much hahn has accrued from the. too much
Drinking OF tea at that hour: so say the medical
men. SaIdWiChes, biscuit, or macaroon gen
orally accompany the lea; they are In order
The rooms are often beautifully decorated
with foWeIs, and floral tea pots and cups are
very fashionable; the covering CT the table with
henotTOpe which coulG be carried away was the
very pretty fancy OF one lady. To these enter
talnmentS an invited guest is privileged to take
gem! eman or lady visitor, as the house is MOI
apt 10 be crowded. particularly II the lady give
several teas, as Is now the custom OF thOse with
large acquaintance.
street dress, being heavy, Is now not worn at
THESE teas; dark six, covered with q CLOAK
which can be thrown off. Is more In favor than
heaVy walking dress, for the heat-alWa an
American ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS intense in modern
gas-llg hted rooms. The afternoon tea with US
Low seems 10 mean party In the daytime
Win very ight refre5hment. AS such lt Is to
De commented as an easy way of meeting ones
illen0s; put as an apology for grand feast it
S not at all In order.
II lady wishes to give grand banquet she
should name O'Clock On her card, and then her
nleEuS viii go luncheOaless ana gladly partake
or her delicious ''spread'-tO use an EnglIsh
expression.
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