The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1892-12-30

4
o o'clock tea in England was the light
breaking Of the fast between the 9
o'clock luncheon and the o'clock din
ner. Society people drove in the row or
| paid visits in the early afternoon, and on
| returning felt the need of bit of nour-
| ishment before beginning the serious
| dinner toilet.
In country houses the pretext of tea
and biscuits--a generic term for crack
ers IN Overwhelmingly assembled the
household for Il half hours coy chat
before the open fire, the ladies in loose
gowns and the men in shooting Jackets.
In town 1t was the hour when the chate-
iaine was sure to be at home and the
intimates of the family dropped in"
Gradually its function became en-.
larged. The ''5 o'clock" was dropped
and a ''tea' became a certain dav cat
home" from 3 TO 8 or to 6, as the host
ess approved at which tea and chocolate
and varied biscuits were served.
Finally by the addition of cream and
sorbets the ''kettledrum," or drum"
as it is usually called. was evolved. One
more form of the same general STYLE of
entertainment is the thigh tea This
corresponds TO an ordinary village tea
party. Gaests enough to sit around the
table are invited, 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 tea"
has crept through the country. In town
and village alike it is valued as an easy
promoter of hospitality, and its still
wider adoption is thing to be urged.
To give Il tea woman takes her
engraved card and writes beneath her
name thus:
Mrs. JOHN Brown,
At Home
Tuesday, December eighth
Tea at three O'Clock.
Or III lieu of the latter sentence may
be written the words, From 3 to 5
o'clock This card inclosed i'm an en-
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 hostess may issue these
cards q fortnight in advance of the date.
Three or four days, or a week at most.
is ample notice for smaller places.
On the designated day the parlor floor
OF the house is put in order, and bowls
and vases of flowers are placed about. In
an inner room adjoining, or near that
into which the guests first enter, a small
table is spread with a dainty teacloth
and set out with the tea and chocolate
service. or, If preferred, simply Il tea serv-
ice, which should include a kettle swung
owes a spirit lamp.
Pretty plates or small trays spread
with a fringed napkin and piled with
waters, crackers or any of the crisp.
toothsome tea cakes are added lust be-
fore tie "tea" begins. At this table an
intimate friend is asked to sit and dis
pense tea.
In village where the guests cannot
be very numerous a single tea service
will suffice. at large ''teas'' hostesses
place extra sugar bowls and cream
pitchers on small tables through the
rooms. A maid is then needed to hand
the cups of tea around. Usually the
beverage is served in the English fash
ion, with cream. Often, however, Rus
sian tea. clear, with slice of lemon in
each cup, is offered. In either case
lump sugar is indispensable.
The hostess, with her daughters, if she
have any, or any friends who may be
assisting. stands just inside the parlor
door to receive hor friends. The guests
are gleved and bonneted, but in cold
weather a room should be ready where
heavy wraps may be laid aside. All
visitors drop their cards in a tray or
basket provided for the purpose in the
hall. 1t is not necessary to send regrets
If you are not able to accept ''tea" in
vitation. A call afterward is, however,
expected.
If you have among your list friend
who plays we'll or recites or sings, it is
pleasant diversion to beg her contribu-
ton to your afternoon" At formal
city affairs half an hours stay is all that
society women, with perhaps the neces-
sity to show at half dozen in an after
noon, can give. 1t is, however, a com
pliment To ones hostess to spend nearly
the time designated on the cards.
Color" teas-pink, yellow, heliotrope
and other tints-are easily managed
with the introduction oe color effects in
the decoration.
M II