Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-11-27
HIGH TEA AT EVEN
II Il Distinguished From ket-
ttedrums and Other Teas.
EVOLUTION OF A CUSTOM
How 70 Give . Tea In Town q Country.
A Promotes Of Hospitality
and American Wsys.

|If y NXM-Xf e&k[fV - . ia " = 0s<N1 -
VIC teas = the IS o'clock
tea" tho afternoon tea"
and the @kettledrum." Originally the
o'clock tea Ia England was the light
breaking ef the fast between the
O'Clock luncheon and the s 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 England-stmilarly assembled the
household for . half hours coy chat
before the open FIRE. the ladies in loose
gowns and the men IN shooting Jackets
In town it was the hour when the chase-
laine was sure to be at home and the
tntimates Of the family dropped in"
Gradually its function became en-
larged. The IS O'Clock" was dropped,
and 'stea" became . certain day '.at
home" from 8 10 5 or to 8, as the host
sss approved. at which tea and chocolate
and varied biscuits were served
EkuAk4y W Tue otA4k~Ao&4 ~ Okt0ku 00o
sorbets the "kestledrum," or .'drum,"
as il is usually called. was evolved. One
more form Of the same general style Of
entertainment Is the high tea This
corresponds 20 an ordinary village tea
party Guests 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 az an EASY
promoter of hospitality, and its still
wider adoption Is thing to be urged
To give ..tea" q 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 In lieu Of the latter sentence may
be written the words. From 10 5
o'clock" This card inclosed in 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 a hostess may issue these
cards fortnight in advance Of the date.
Three or four days, or week at most,
Is ample notice for smaller places.
On the designated day the parlor door
Of the house Is put in order, and bowls
aud vases of flowers are placed about. In
an inner room adjoining, or near that
into which the guests first enter, small
table is spread with dainty teacloth
and set out with the tea and chocolate
service. or, If preferred. simply tea serv-
ice, which should include kettle swung
over spirit larap.
Pretty plates or small trays spread
with fringed napkin and piled with
waters, crackers or any Of the crisp.
toothsorne tea cakes are added Just be-
fore the '.tess begins. At this table an
intimate friend Is asked to sit and dis
pense tea.
In village where the guests came:
be very numerous single tea service
will suffice At large ''tess" 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 ia 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 ia indispensable.
The hostess, with her daughters. IL she
have any. or any friends who may be
assisting, stands just inside the parlor
door 20 receive her friends. The guests
are gioved 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 for the purpose in the
hall. IL is not necessary TO send regrets
II you are not able TO accept . tea" in
vitation. A call afterward ia, however,
expected.
II you have among your list . friend
who plays well or reciees or sings. 10 il
. pleasant diversion 70 beg her contribu-
ton 10 your afternoon" At formal
city affairs half an hours stay is all that
society women, with perhaps the neces-
sity TO show &C half dozen in an after
noon. can give. IL is, however. q COM
pliment TO ones hostess to spend nearly
the time designated on the cards.
'sCoicr" tess-pink. yellow, heliotrope
and other tints-sre easily managed
with the introduction OF color effects in
the decoration.
Margaret H. WKLcH.