Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
Some Interesting Suggestions About
Afternoon Teas"

AFTERNOON Teas"
To people Of small or moderate means ~
afternoon tea offers solution Of q ditli.
cult problem. 1t is incXpensivo, enjoyable,
and in its simplicity above criticism. Con
corning this pleasing form of hospitality
Good Housekeeping has among other use
full suggestions, tine following: When one
feels ones house too small to comfortably
accommodate Che desired number, good
plan is for the hostess to send out her own
visiting card, which is, by the way, the
only correct invitation to such an affair as
this, the card, in addition to the name,
bearing the written or engraved words,
"At Home Thursdays in December"
OF course no reply is required to such in
formal invitations The latter plan will
do away with the danger of IA crush, as pco-
pile will not naturally all select the same
day. More people, however, may be eX-
pccted on the fourth afternoon, az in all
such things procrastinatiOn IS characteris-
tic with many. But the guest once hidden,
let the faith Of the hostess in the simple
form of her entertainment remain perfect
as it will if she owns the truly hOspiJable
spirit. Let her remember that 10 ask a
friend to break ones bread is a compli-
ment, and to entertain according to ones
means is always in good taste.
The lady who presdes over the tea urn
has very dainty office TO perform, but if
she has a correct understanding of her du-
ties she will not find her place sinecure.
The hostess cannot perform her task rs
such and preside at the tea table, but she
will, if there be no daughter of the house,
select some guest under her roof or an in
innate friend TO act for her. 1t is the duty
of this person to see that each cup of tea
oh oh is a ia
possible for her to make it, and one of the
first requisites of this is heat. The English
complain that it is impossible TO get cup
of hot tea in America, and yet this difficult
ty is an easy one to overcome. But of tha
method of preparing this piece dc resist
ance ! will speak later. The water boiling,
the tea drawn a "cozy" should be pull
ed over the teapot to keep in the steam,
with which would escape much of the
aroma. Before pouring, little boiling
water should be left for a few moments in
the cup. With these precautions our trans
atlantic friends will find no fault, though
there may be some truth in the statement
once heard made that their throats, like
IA ships bottom, are "coppered,"
Each guest will lind the way to the tea
| table, aud make her wishes known with
out waiting to be asked Here let me say
what would hardly appear hceutNI bUl lot
many inquiries which have proved it so.
No special Introduction 20 the lady prcsid'
| ing is required. 1t is not only proper but
obligatory that the guest show breeding as
well Is kindlinoss 10y making, il need bo,
an effort TO enter into conversation with
her. The fact of meeting under the roof
OF mutual friend is sufficient introduce
ton. \ witty and observing person should
fiji this place, that sh" may aid in setting
the ball OF conversation rolling amoss
those she gathers about her, In the draw
ing room even quite young children will
prove useful in passing biscuits, tea and
plates. The help of a servant will be
needed most in quietly replenishing aud
removing dishes.