Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-04
FASHIONABLE TEAS.
Inc Etiquette That Rules Them-The
Latest Tricks of Manner.

After select my date. which will be Satur-
oay az early In the season as possible, SAYS a
writer on social etiquette In the New York
World wait until fortnight previous, and
then send out my cards to every one on my Wis
lung list. take mas and my visiting card and
write In the lower LETT hand corner, above the
address: saturday, Dec. -. Tea at o'clock"
Ii lind this will be too much bother, have q
new plate engraved with the words, but the
trouble about engraved cards for 'tea' is that
1t makes it more formal. and people are conse-
quently apt to expect reception. After your
cafds are out. and 1t Is just as well now to post
them, messengers are 80 careless, you needn't do
blessed thing till the day of the ''tea" arrives,
except. perhaps, to invite some of your friends
TO receive with you. You must see in the morn
Ing that the rooms are tastefullv arranged and
it Is good plan to have a few flowers in the
vases on the tables. See that the table in the
dining-rOom is we'll supplied with cake and
bonbons. and have the tea and chocolate urns
one at each end. Have waiter to attend to
this table, and another one also at the door to
receive cards, etc. You must also have rooms
prepared upstairs for the ladies and gentlemen
to leave their wraps and hats If they so desire.
although the majority will enter the parlor at
once without so doing. You must wear a
demi-tOilet or dinner costume, as your
mother and receiving trends must also do,
and carry your bouqu.t, unless too many,
in your hands. The guests will begin to
arrive soon after four o'clock. will greet
your mother first. who must stand nearest the
door, then yourself and then those of your
friends whom they may happen to know
You need not bother yourself about intro
ducng people to each other. It Is presumed
that they know each other, and, if there
happen to be few who do not. they will
quietly slip out after while. OF course. if
any of your friends who are aiding you to re-
ceiye are strangers in the city, you must intro
duce guests to them; and always try to pick
out the most agreeable men you know for this
purpose. If any of your friends are uninter-
estng the men will be bored; but attractive
and besides, you can make it all right with
them afterward by saying In your sweetest
way: Il considered you enough my friend to
be willing to do something for me- This will
make them willing to try to entertain an entire
army Of stupid girls at the next tea you give.
Don't introduce men to each other if you can
possibly avoid it. 1t is not considered good
form. Let two of them stand talking to you on
the same or different subjects, try to be equally
pleasant to both. but don't introduce them. l
am sure l don't see the reason. but it is not
considered the thing. Tell your brother when
he goes to "tea" to wear black cutaway or
Prince Albert coat, and to carry his silk hat
and cane with him into the room. He
should also do the same thing now at
the opera If he wishes to be in the
height of fashion, for the convenient opera
hat is seen no more and it is the worst possible
form to carry it in the ball room. But to re-
turn to my 'tea." After the guests have
greeted you. moved around little while, and,
perhaps. slipped a cup of tea or chocolate and
nipped piece of cake, they will rush away to
another tea or reception. and Others will take
their place. So you will have a string of
arriving and departing guests constantly passing
before you. After an hour, if you are very
tired. you can sit down now and then. and when
six o'clock arrives the guests are generally
SO thinned out that you can take some
refreshments and enjoy little chat with the
friends who still remain. 'tea' does not
require either music or collation. If you
decide to have these darken your rooms,
wear full dress, call it reception" and
change your cards to read: "Mrs. and Miss
-, at home from four to seven" Never use
the numerals, except in dates and names of
streets When your 'tea" is over, if you are
not too tired, you go out to dinner or dress
for the opera with an easy conscience. The
next morning look over the cards the guests
have left. and also those sent. for it is Gus
tOmary. If one cannot attend a "tea" to send q
card You need not feel under any obligation
to call on those whom you have invited to your
tea" You have discharged your social duties
and you may rest content. While, on the other
hand those who attend or send cards to q tea
have fulfilled their duties and are not required
to call again; yet it is now their place to invite
you. and you are entitled to an invitation to any
general entertainment they may give in return
for your asking them to your tea"