The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-21
THE TEA ENTERTAINMENT
IN THE SOCIETY OF BROOKLYN
AND OTHER CITIES

How the Princess of Wales Made Them
and the Incidental Gown Fashiona-
ble-Citizen Genet's Service-The
Cynical Judge and the Vague Joker
Invitations.
From the Brooklyn Eagle
There is legend to the effect that old DR..
johnson, the English wit and philosopher,
immortalized by Boswell, was extravagantly
fond of tea, and drank anywhere from
seventeen to twenty-seven cups of the fra
grant beverage during an afternoon when
visiting his friend, Mrs. Thrale, in the
vicinity of London. Indeed, that lady once
remarked, laughingly:
1.-The doctor would drink tea as long as
any one would pour it for him"
1t is said that the Princess of Wales intro
duced the fashion of afternoon tea drink
ing at some country house while dressed in
pretty, becoming loose sort Of costume,
which obtained the name of tea gown, very
appropriately Between the hours of . and Z
her Intimate friends were welcomed in her
private sitting room, after the fatigues of
the morning and previous to the social duties
of the evening. The bellies Of London quickly
copied this pretty custom of the Princess,
Del1g charmed WlUil luA llllOEIldlUN ana tnc
opportunity to adopt the becoming, dainty
tea gown, but they quickly elaborated the
affair into a 'kettle-drum,' the kettle
uggesting the tea, the "drumn being n
revival of an old-fashioned word to indicate
an entertainment. 1t goes without saying
that Mrs. Thrale's afternoon teas, attended
by the beaux and wits and fashion of DR..
Johnson's time, were rather different from
the kettle-drums of the present day. Mr..
ItacYr.a ropat Of Nav N.rlz son of
Citizen Genet has among his inheritanceS
an exquisitely beautiful Sevres tea service
that was once the property of Marie Antoi-
nette and used by her and her intimate
friends at Versailles for tea drinkings III the
Queens boudor. Citizen Genet was at one
time Secretary for the Queen, and was
welcome guest at these informal gatherings.
This lovely porcelain service has been seen
by many people at loan exhibitions in New
York Each cup and saucer is a gem of art
and no two pieces of the service are allke,
while the decorations are equally beautiful.
Tea and talk being associated, one can i'm
agine the charm of conversation in the
symposiums of the graceful, accomplished
and Inflated queen. AS the Americans
adapt every foreign custom and fashion TO
their own purposes, the English ) o'clock tea
has developed into our afternoon teas,
social institution that means a cheap enter
tainment with a very considerable amount
of fuss and feathers. Gentlemen rarely
attend American afternoon tea parties,
generally esteeming them as boTes Of the
first magnitude. a weil-known LAWYER
while recently attending an entertainment
of this description, was observed in the
serene occupation of corner of the draw
ing room, quite silent as he slipped his tea.
An acquaintance, approaching him, re-
marked:
Why, Judge, you appear to be in deep
meditation"
II am" he replied, II never heard so
many women talking together in my life,
and am wondering why they giggle so
perpetually."
But all afternoon teas arc not inexpensive.
With the luxurious tendencies which are
increasing more and more among US, we
have a kind of ball and feast, called tea"
instead of the pretty tables covered with
little cups the tea kettles ready for use, and
the ladies ready to dispense the amber
colored beverage. The studio teas" are
frequently delightful in their Bohemian
character, and many artists and literary
people attend them. Miss Dora Wheeler is
famed for her studio teaS-a most Informal
festival held on Thursday Afternoons.
Tea gowns are an accepted style of femi-
nine decoration. a hostess must wear a tea
gown at her own tea party. This gown Is a
nondescript affair; it may be of any color
recently wore one at a tea party in her own
house, of pale lilac silk, Powered with silver
The front was of lilac net lace over lilac
silk, with long revers of deep lilac velvet
extending from the shoulders to the bottom
of the skirt, on either side Of the lace front.
The sleeves were tight to the elbow, where
they were edged with velvet to match the
revers, and puffs of the lilac net lace. No
iewelry was worn with this costume, but
sprays of lilies of the valley were fastened
at the throat.
Invitations to afternoon teas are given
personally usually; if not, a small square
sheet OF paper of pale gray, with envelope
to match, bearing the initials or coat of arms
and written by the hostess, is IN the best
form. A drawiug-room may be- made as
beautiful as possible for such an occasion
with banks of flowers and foliage plants and
there may be orchestral music. The con
ventional costume for lady guests is an
elegant street dress, with bonnet and gloves
to match. The gloves are not removed. a
woman in good health may do" two or
three teas in an afternoon. The tea parties
at our national capital are of a most
enjoyable character usually, as the diplo-
mats, the representatives from the Old
World and members of Congress socially
inclined attend them and give them tone
rarely if ever, found elsewhere at such
entertainments in America.