The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-31
SOCIETY TEAS or DIVERS KINDS,

From the Simple Cups Served on Afternoons
eat Home" 10 the O'clock semi Bsaaust
The 8 O'Clock tea is the most elastic and ao-
comm dating OF all functions. 1t Is the clear
ing house for social obligations the main
spring OF the complicated social machine
Five O'Clock tea may mean simply the cup
that cheers served By q hostess unselfsh and
firm enough to be at home every afternoon
behind the steAming kettle to the friends. men
and women. who. because they are sure OF al
ways finding her there drop in Informally for
bit OF gossip at the twilight hour Or It may
mean grand crush ball in the day time
The society woman who may be found at home
on Q certain afternoon OF every week receives
In Q high-necked, tight-fltting house dress.
more or less handsome. according to her cir
eumstanoes. When callers drop in q maid
brings in the tea service. with thin bread and
butter. little CAKES and biscuits. and the host
ess serves the tea herself 1t takes graceful
self possessed woman to make q cup OF tea
with the daintinsss th,t makes the pretty
custom the most fascinating OF all a fair lady's
accomplishments when we'll done. and the
most disastrous evidence. OF bad breeding
when AwkHardly managed. A lady who re:
Srintsd In the corner Of her visiting card. DAY
At the nyo-o'clock tea suitable dress In
which to receive is handsome combination
OF silk and velvet and lace. high-necke d and
with long sleeves. No bonnet. OF course is
worn IL daughter is introduced her costume
OF muslin At one OF these large teas for which
the hostess sends out cards. with the date Of
drswing-room door and greet every guest
talking for short time with each one unless
another Immediately claim her attention; In
tea service at one end and service for choco-
late at the other. Sandwiches. little cakes.
sweets aud saltsd almonds. are each served as
dalntily and taneliully as taste and means per-
carry away soilsd cups and sauceTs. but the
tea and chocolate are served by ladies' young
ladies usually. though after the gentlemsn
dry and the teapot grows cold Now, the best
rule for making tea 10 the old one. one tea.
spoon for each person and one for the pot"
Everybody has theory about tea. A Boston girl
argue that the ksttle must come TO boil,
minute before the tea Is made. II you ask her
why, shs win look At you pityingly through her
too unintsiissnt to eonDTshsnd the real req.
son. and put you on with y, that 10 the Boston
Sc: .Ds L SOS :Ss s sSss the s':
tea to steep i've minutes and then pour on the
rect Your tea will be satisfactory. -,.,.,
the simple cup Of tea 10 this tea a lady comes
dressed In handsome visiting dress, with a
enters the heated room. and a bonnet that she
.esPi on ana makes her cal long or short as
or little saTet cup she Is TOO on warns o and Sp'I IS
apt 20 DO the same thing in eight OF nine other
places aay OF THIS ktnq l lSdy Griags her
IIsssII . the hostess is kwaidOg Some
cards after the tirst calls at the beginning OF
the season. except alter a dinner And after
such st homes or teas no matter how elab-
crate. or even Il theJ are given In the evening
and approach the dignity OF aIeoeption. II tho
Invitation card reads simply At home" It ~
not expected that guests Will call or send cards
As Is the custom after other entertainments
AS 10 tbs manner Of sending regret cards, in
EnglA and = card sent By mail 10 considered 70
satisfy any obligation as we'll as N delivered
b. special messenger. Here the stiqustte Of
custom has been to send cards By district
messengers aud no end OF disAppointments
and misunderstandings have arisen through
the eArelessnsss Of these diTty-hnEsred MeT-
euHes. who think nothing II the day be cold or
the distance long Of tossing the cards on the
Even the busiest society women rarely de-
pend on this ceremonlous visiting for their
only meeting with their friends, buttry 20 maks
one or two calls : year In the morning In
simple walking dress on those thsy care % r.
tain az intimAtes- Ii Is. however. not consid-k
cred gOOe taste to ignore the regular ealllngA
day and expect ladies' " receive you TIE dAy