Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-11-24


and the "kettledrum" Originally The
5o'clock ten in England was the light
breaking Of the fast between the Q
o'clock luncheon and the o'clock din
ner. Society people drove in the row or
paid visits i'll the early afternoon. and on
returning felt the need of a bit of nour-
lshment before beginning the serious
dinner toilet.
In country houses the pretczt of tea
and biscuits-a generic term for crack
ers in EnglaEd-similarIy assembled the
household for half hours cozy chat
before the open fire, the ladies in loose
gowns and the men in shooting Jackets.
In town it was the hour when the chate-
iaine was sure to be at home and the
intimates of the family dropped i'm
Gradually its function became en-
larged. The 50 o'clock was dropped
and ''tea" became certain dav ..at
home from . to or 4 to 6. as the no III
ess approved, at which tea and chocolate
and varied biscuits We're served.
Finally By the addition Of cream aud
sorbets the 'kettledrum," Or Ddrum. n
az it i usually called. was evolved. One
more form Of the same general style of
entertainment is the .'high tea" Thi:
corresponds to an ordinary village tea
party. Guests enough to sit around the
table areinvited, the table is spread. and
hot bread mullins or waffies, broiled
chicken, croquettes or other warm
dishes served with fruits and small
cakes. The hostess pours tea and choco-
late at one end Of the table.
From the cities the afternoon tt.r
has crept through the country. iii town
and village alike it Is valued as al easy
promoter Of hospitality, and its still
wider adoption is thing to be urged.
To give tea" a woman takes hcs
engraved card and writes beneath her
name thus:
MRs. JoHs BRowN,
AT Home
Tuesday, December eighth.
Tea ut three o'clock.
Or in lieu Of the latter sentence uiHv
be written the words, From ) ID j
o'clock" This card incIosed id III cil-
velope may be sent by post Or delivered
by messenger, as suits ones convenience.
In large communities where social en-
gagements are apt to be numerous and
conflicting a hostess may issue fhese
cards a fortnight i'll advance of the date.
Three or four days, or a week at most.
is ample notice for arnsller places.
On the designated day the parlor noor
of the house j. put ia order, and bowls
and vases Of flowers are placed about. Ii
an inner room adjoining, Or near that
into which the guests first enter. i small
table is spread with dainty teaclotIl
and set out with the tea and chocolate
service, or, if preferred. simply 4 easerv-
ice, which should include Il kettle swung
over spirit lamp.
Pretty plates or small trays spread
with a fringcd napkin and piled with
waters, crackers or any of the crisp
toothsome tea cakes are added Just ID
fore the ''tea7 begins. At this table an
intimate friend is asked to sit and dill
pense tea.
In o village where the guests canno.
be very numerous single tea service
will suffice. At large teas hostesses
place extra sugar bowls and cream.
pitchers on small tables through Ire
rooms. A maid is then needed to hacd
the cups of tea around. Usually tie
beverage is served in the English fash
ion, with cream. Often, however, Rms
sian tea, clear, with a slice Of lemon il
each cup, is offered In either case
lump sugar is Indispensable
The hostess, with her daughters, il she
have any, or any friends who may w
assisting, stands just inside the parlor
door to receive her friends. The guests
are gloved and bonneted, but in cold
weather a room should be ready where
heavy wraps may be laid aside. All
visitors drop their cards in tray or
basket provided fer the purpose III the
hall II is not necessary to send regrets
if you are not able to accept ..tea'' ill.,
vitation. a call afterward l.. however.
expected.
IL you have among your list friend
who plays well OF recites or sings, it III
a pleasant diversion to beg her contribu-
tion to your afternoon At formal
city affairs half an hours stay is all that
society women, with perhaps the neces-
sity to show at hall dozen in an after
noon, can give. 1t IL, however, a com
pliment to ones hostess to spend nearly
the time designated on the cards.
Color teas-pinl1, yellow. heliotrope
and other tints-are easily managed
with the introduction uf color effects III
the decoration.
MAnGARET Ell. WEr1I