Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-05

inx; for It's monument OF monuments. tall
stately. inspiring; for It's unequaled thorough
fares, broad smooth captivating; for its charm
Ing society. Its elegant dinners delightful lunch
cons, beautiful teas. Teas indeed--uo city In
the world, perhaps, II % prone to tea-giving a.
Washington-euch lovely, delightful affairs.
which have grown from matter of modest
compliment to small coterie of friends to some
thing scarcely less formidable than the more
comprehensive dinner or luncheon of other DAYS.
The great adaptabilitv of the tea. as it now ex-
lists TO cover multitude OF compulsory atten-
tons and at the same time include co1rtesies
one wishes to extend to ones genuine friends
has made It
THE MOST POPULAR OF ALL ENTERTAINMENTS,
the most convenient and perhaps the most
greatly abused. The abuse lies largely in lm-
parting to the tea the extensive proportions Of
generously appointed reception. The wide
latitude given to the list of edibles provided
may create an impression OF exuberaut gener-
osty but 1t robs the tea itself OF that air of re-
fined moderation originally intended. and which
gave to 1t peculiarly amcable charm destroys
its par excellence as purely informal sociable.
Teas, as commonly accepted now, are regarded
as "events" rather than mere affairs" es-
pecially In official circles and circles of high de-
gree.
AN ATTRACTIVE BUT INEXPENSIVE TEA
1t Is not at all essential to be both wealthy and
wise to give what society regards and the news
papers describe as Is beautiful tea" OF course
It must of necessity be more or less expensive,
but after all wisdom is the great silent partner,
so TO speak, whence must emanate that eonsum-
mate art without which a fete though entailing
unlimited extravaganza, would be voted most
dull aud stupid event. The display of art neces-
sary TO the giving OF tea is generally found to
be OF two kinds. First, that which simply origi-
mates and leaves the entire consummation of
design to the caterer or florist the second
that possessed bv the less favored of Fortunes
caprices, who from limited means must depend
upon their artistic skill tor by far the greater
part OF what goes toward conceying and con-
Quoting an attractive and successful entertain
ment. BY that cOnsummate tact and taste
| naturally belonging to the majority of women
an unpretentious tea table can be set and made
to contribute to the success and pleasure of an
evening equally with the handsomest repast
Washington can boast so far as grace of ar
rangement and decorative effects are involved.
THE ENLARGFMEr OF THE IDEA
When the tea first became a positive condi- 1
tion no refreshments were provided beyond tea
and some light cakes and crackers, possibly cof-
fee for non-tea drinkers. Bouillon and sand
wiches were the entering wedges. aud they
were probably introduced as strengthening
medium for those who lad long list OF calls to
make. Then followed salads and ices. and sub
sequently one thing with another until the tea
OF to-day ID scarcely short of a gorgeous recep-
tlon People who used to delight in receiving
and entertaining their circle of friends and ac-
quaintances at tea without dreading the bills
which would follow now shrink I'm dismay
at the expensive consequences. A lady
whose husband Is in receipt OF a salary
or two or three thousand q year does not expect
to wear diamonds or loll in an equipage that
would rival those of her neighbor whose hus-
band Is millionaire, or who gets a salary of ten
or twelve thousand. Yet. unfortunately. II the
lormer' wishes to give tea she will stretch
ar JxNNl.
offer attractions comparable to the reception of
the latter. This may be a cOmmendable spirit
prompted, doubtless by a high and unmistaka-
Bile sense of pride. and In way ii is practically
obligatory from the conditions of social require
ments. yet the application Of practical views to
the matter will show that IL is not necessary
that 1t should be as extensive or expensive to
be made as notable and thoroughly enjoyable as
the other. .....-.. - 90
REQUIREMENTS OF AN INEXPENSIVE TEA.
An afternoon tea may be a small and simple
affair, but ones guests will carry away with them
impressions of far finer feast if daintily served
and this can be done by any good housewife who
has had the forethought and shrewdness to col
lect retty and delicate table and ornamental
wareyo be had in such profusion In art stores
and at moderate prices. 1t is to be taken for
granted, however. that every housekeeping lady
has fair supply of china. silverware, and table
linen, or she should not think of inviting guests
There is no reason why she should not have.
tor it ia neither difficult nor burdensome to Sc
cure fair accumulation by investing a dollar
or SO at odd times for such things or even for
one thing at q time, such as good Judgment
may suggest. 1t Is not SO much in what the
money can buy as In what taste would divine
There was time when thing was valued not
SO much Tor Its grace as cost. when only the
very wealthy could crafty their artistic fancies,
though they may have been humble compared
with the eXtravagant ideas Of to-day. But now
1t Is that which Is dainty and graceful with an
exquisite correspondence to its happy surround
lngs that particularly pleases and fascinates and
this Is within the goal of every one whose heart
Is in the cause and whose perception is equal to
the occasion whether her porte-monnaie plethoric
or not
DINING-ROoM AND TEA-TABLE ARRANGEMENTS
In the preparations for tea a key note should
be chosen, when it is possible. and arrangements
as far as practicable made to harmonic accord
ingly. 1t is not difficult to secure flowers to
harmonic with table decorations and they need
uot DE orchids or very rare roses, either. Say
the prevailing tone is pink, pretty and fragrant
flowers to suit can be had any day in market
If need be. where they are cheaper. Tinted
globes, hired for the occasion at very reason
able figures, fancy candles, colored ices, &C.,
may be made to conform equally as easily to the |
ruling shade. OF course, when the China
matches the other accessories 1t is more agree |
able. but even without this charming effects NAV
may be produced. Indeed as rule taste now |
Ii running IN q llue WIN an 0Q0 and unmatched
fitness Of things allowing the widest liberty In |
selecting the decorations for tea-table and |
dinng-room furnishings, except SO far as har- |
mony Is involved. which common sense holds as |
memorable as the laws of nature.
In the attending dning-room accessories q |
Clipped plate, which was Of my iadys mothers |
weddip china, the carefully mended seyres cup, |
the slightly broken royal Worcester pitcher, or |
the brilliant Japanese teapot that has lost its |
top, can hardly be available upon the tea-table. |
but they may make gallant and perfectly ad- |
INVISIBLE show upon the upper part Of the buff 1
fet or on q set OF mantel shelves supplied with /
cute little brass hooks from which to swing |
pretty little tea and coffee cups. Japanese |
china, In delicate and quaint designs, are popu-
lar and asinexpensivea as white porcelain, and far
more effective If judciously selected. Beauti-
full thin clear pressed-giass tumblers or pieces,
as ringing In tone as tinklng cymbal, can be
had cheapiy and often are as happy in decora-
tive effect as the finest cut crystal, and SO on.
When there is an INSURGENCY Of tableware for |
either practical use or decorative purposes It /
can be rented in almost an unlimited range Of |
designs and quality from dealers at reasonable |
rates. In fact, to get at the bottom Of it, many
Of the handsomest and most engaging table
furnishings to be seen at some Of the most mo-
table entertainments of wealthy people are
rented for the occasion. Thus economy,
problematical to many people, even OF limited
means, can be turned to advantage without an
intimation Of parsimony any more than extraya-
rance comnrahanda Oererasitr Wifhout erniny i