The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-11
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
The Wide Range Existing I'm the Enter
tainment known a. u O'Clock Tea

| The Wide Range Existing I'm the Enter
/ tainment known a. u . O'Clock Tea
/ First we have the elaborate affair which
is heraIded by formally engraved notes OF
/ invitation a strip of carpet IS spread from
| the curbstone TO the door. II the day 10
| rainy an awning the entire length is erected
/ for protection. Everything else must be il
[ keeping From this they grade down u
| the simple, practical, every day 3 O'Clock, -
| conducted with the charming simplicity
which has made it so justly popular. The
lady simply uses her visiting card for invi-
tations, writing below her name the date
and IS O'Clock Tea" in the lower left hand
corner.
The manner Of dispensing refreshments
differs somewhat in different cities, but in
the main is much the same. An easy cor
diality on the part Of the hostess, an as
sured welcome, quiet service, with light
and delicate refreshments are the essentials.
4 child with a little previous training may
/ act as usher The hostess stands near or
opposite the door Of the reception room
while receiving, and, If the tea IS gwen IN
honor OF friend, this friend stands beside
her and is presented TO the guests, with
whom she is unacquainted. as they greet
the hostess.
The guests do not sit at table. but with
plate and cup in hand remain standing.
and at a sufficient distance from the table
10 afford a free passageway for the walters,
who supply them either from the table or
from the pantry with refreshments in thei-
order. Sometimes. II the hostess have n
spacious dinirZ room and the company IS
limited, chairs are ranged about, or small
lunch tables are scattered through the
rooms The tables are draped IN pure
white and each may have a low bowl Of
loosely arranged roses or other flowers IN
its center. In either Gaze the guests are
served from the large table. This also u
draped in pure white
Since it is a tea, an ample amount Of this
beverage must be provided Many people
serve coffee or chocolate also, but not
necessarily. Il one have handsome choco-
late set II adds much 70 the beauty Of the
table il occupies one end, while the tea
service is placed at the ether This bring
up the query about Sleeping the tea. The
kettle IS kept steaming and swinging above
the spirit lamp until all are served A
maid Is instructed to keep this rspleuisbed
from the reserve supply. This IL done quiet
and is scarcely noticed II the hostess bss
q daughter she usually poun the teas n
not, some intimate young lady friend Is
honoTed With the position or, a. the
pleasure Of the hostess, q neat maid may
do this service. explains Good Housekecp
in1, authority for the foregoing
A waiter places the cups upon = Eaiver
or waiter covered VITA tray cloth and
hands them 70 the g1eEtS By the WAY, T.
Is fashionable 70 make - much veakeT
than formerly tsaE2o0nf1l - bali pint
Of Fatez Yielding ys-y strong product- 4
flll pint % water s--4ad 70 . tszspo0ufGi
rnskes a plcasant leverage Slgz- an
cream sbOslld be passesi With IL Slice
lemon y often pas~sa In add Eao1 90 thesr
a. many persoEls uss II .Ea<1Az1 u crSzzl,
after TIE Russian fashion Provide pleEst =
Of delicate Esodw1chls, and nth sziAl
WAFER and fancy cSEfs nothing NOR b.
required OF caurse one may serve los Z
q more elaborate blu 81 fArs - aeziro1-
Later IN the ssssoE scrawherT1es With ice
cream end plain cake S-s sometimes served