The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-22
DOMAIN OF SOCIETY.
xEYTEy ENTERTAINMENT DURING
TIE WEEK PAsT.

breakfast Parties-RuIes for Five O'clock
Teas-Thcir Origin In Engiand-Their Abuse
I'm America-Handsome Receptions-Gen-
eral and Personal.
In all our Anglomania it is strange that we
have not copied that plain, informal thing
an English breakfast-which Sydney Smith
said he most enjoyed, chiefly because no one
was conceited before 1 o'clock in the day.
The opportunity for display Of good taste IN
the fresh and pretty arrangement OF fruits
and flowers. rare china, old or new silver and
delicate napery. and above ali for the free
nd unconventional entertainment Of guests.
and pretty and becoming morning attire,
should tempt some Of the many givcrs Of teas
10 depart from the usual adventure intot heal-
most untried field Of breakfast entertainments.
breakfast is "A charming meal when the heads
of the household know how to make II so.
Not the formal deeuners q In tourchette
which have all the pOmp and ceremony OF
dinner. but home-like meal. such rs any
friend would enjoy. and ut which stranger Is
privileged to be received.
These, however, and other modes OF enter
tanning. have given place TO the universally
popular tea.
ORIGIN OF THE TEA"
It is cufous what a necessary article OF diet
tea has been in England for many years past.
II is served in country houses four or nye
times day. II is brought to your bedside
before rising. il is poured at breakfast and ut
lunch: il is the necessity Of life at 3 O'Clock,
and il is drunk Just before going to bed Eng-
Gsh doctors urge that it is tonic and appe-
tier and a healthy stimulant for the weary or
the athletic.
In the English novel, old ladies, matTons;
Young ladies. and even lovers. seem 70 ma
always refreshment. entertainment, and solace
In the orthodox beverage. m
We are indebted TO England for the rive
O'clock Tea" as II begun and continued there
as a needed refreshment after q DAYS hunting
or driving, or Out-Of-dOor sports, before dIcsS-
ING for the late dinner, which with the Eng
Ish. Is always the meal of state and ceremony
even i'm country houses. In England too.
where economy is 50 much the fashion, II was
finally accepted as an excellent excuse ior
suppressing expense and needless eAtlaNa-
gance in entertaining. But people have long
ago forgotten its origin, and have gwen splrn-
did receptions calling them Teas" ana IN
every city they have become so popular that
frequently seven or eight have been attended
in an afternoon.
AN ENGLISH FIVE O'CLOCK TEA.
Invitations are informal upon the lady's
visiting card and in the left-hand corner:
"Five-O'clock Tea,
Monday. March 3D."
No answer is expected, unless the request
is made upon the invitation.
Half an hour is about the usually allotted
time for each guest TO stay the hostess
should feel hattered if they seem inclined to
remain longer.
II is not necessary TO take leave of the
hostess at tea All she requires is that You
greet herself and the friends assisting her on
entering, and to make yourself as agreeable
and happy as YOU eau while i'll her house
Formal acknowledgements or party calls
are not expected atterward.
COSTUMES At TEAS.
The hostess generally wears handsome
nigh-necked gown. brOcade, velvet, silk or
satin. She does not wear the seml-loos' gar
ment styled a "tea-gOwn' on these occasions,
and the ladies who receive with her may he
more deliberately costumed in the same style.
A skirt of light brocade with a dark velvet
overdress Of a contrasting color or darker
shade is a most effective costume IN draw
ing-room at these "At-Home" entertainments.
1t is not, however, the fabric nor the eX-
tremes Of design and fashion that make the
success of any costume A well-dressed
woman is she who understands herself and
her surroundings and adjusts herself har
moniOusly to all occasions.
The young daughter of the household with
some Of her chosen companions serves the IN
dispensable English breakfast tea" which
forms the staple of these informal entertain
ments, and is enjoyed by guests of all ages
1t is no longer the elderly lady who presldes
at the tea urn. the tabbics do not brew nor
serve It, the young klttles are now the queens
of the five O'Clock tea"
The sight Of pretty girl performing the
light duties of the tea table Is dear 10 the eyes
of every one, and the tempting refroshment
accompanying is never SO dainty as when
served 10y the fair young fingers.
DEATH TO THE EVENING PARTY.
Yet il must be confessed that the afternoon
tea has in some degree destroyed very de-
lightful feature of society. II has ruined the
evening party which Is SO pleasant memory
of the past People who formerly gave break
fasts, dinners and evening parties, where men
and women could meet each other, talk and
know each other well, do not give them ROW;
they give afternoon teas.
MRS. MOTIONS EVENING AT HOME.
On Thursday evening Mrs. II. c. Morton
and her daughter and niece, Miss Julia and
Miss Mary Morton, received their friends in
formally. One of the most charming, even
ings of the winter was spent IN their delight
full home, which is in all respects one Of the
most tasteful and elegant in Richmond. 4
number of lovely young girls assisted IN re-
ceiving and serving the guests.
Mrs Morton Wore a handsome gown of sill
yer gray pean de Sole finished In rose silk and
steel embroidery and black lace.
Miss Julia Morton. lovely costume of soft
pink crepe, with violets
Miss Mary Morton, a stylish domi-toilette of
gray faile, with pink mousseline dc sole fin
ish and violets.
Mrs. Grey Skipwith, in gown Of black bro
cade, with gold trimmings, dispensed the
punch. and Mrs. John Hunter poured tea. in
becoming gown OF gray and lavender silk.
Delightful vocal music, a delicate and pretty
collation., lovely flowers and many colored
lamps made the pleasure and charm of this
exceptionally agree able entertainment
The young ladies invited to assist were
Misses Salhc Deane. Annie Hammer, Mary
Moore. Katie Wallace Jennie McPmil. Car
RE Moore. Ellie Williams. Annie Williams
Sallie Talbot, Emma Barksdale. Ashley
Miller, Ellen Lee, Gertrude Camm, and Annie
Leigh Camm.
Later number of young men were invited
20 JON the party at supper, and tie pleasure
was extended through the evening. Alnong
these were Messrs. Preston Carson. Arthur
Willy. Richmond Maury 10 Lane stern. Dul-
ley Mcdonald. Preston NOand Reid Hohson
Robert Blankenship. Deane Maurv. Cahcli
Robinson, George Lee. Churchill Young. Wal
Ter Morton, Richard Wilson and Walter Nor
ris.
MRS. READE's TUESDAY EVENING.
Mrs. Charles Reades tea was social and t.,
formal She was handsomely attred I'm "A
black satin gown, with gold satin front undcr
black lace.
Miss Beckham, her guest and cousin. dis
pensed the light refreshment 10 the guests
very gracefully Her eostup,a ,vas efr,l d.. DE-.