The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-12
A CRUSH TEA,
Kate Field Thinks There Are Barbarians
in Washington.

What is "crush tea? asks Kate
Field. And her reply Isl 1t is an inven-
ton OF this fin de steele society to Keep
up with the procession, know everybody.
and get rid Of what are called social
obligations" with the least trouble to
yourself and the least amount Of pleasure
TO your guests. Mistresses or drawing
rooms capable OF accommodatinS-using
this word In its literal sense--fifty peo-
pie. do not hesitate 10 Jam into them
two or three hundred; and the extraordi-
nary part OF the performance Is that
the more these people are Jammed' the
better they like IT. OF course there are
exceptions, but exceptions are unworthy
OF consideration. If exceptions had their
say, society would be spelled just tne
same, in spite of phonetics but 1t would
mean something else. Exceptions are mot
In It,"
The Grand Army of General Average
flock 10 a crush tea with an ayidity un-
exampled on earth. Whether they are as
anxious and as ready for heaven is doubt
fun. After Rocking the conversation next
day is. ten chances TO one. after this fash-
ion: my dear ] was crushed to death'
literally, / assure you. Never saw such
n lam i'm my life. Everybody was there
even old Mrs. Toodles. Why that woman
is asked. / don't know. She got me In
corner and began talking TO me ABOUT
her home for something or other just as
though I'd put on my Paris gown 10 De
stuck in a corner when there were no
end OF men In the dining room Yes, men,
nv dear Not ships, but men. Really,
Mrs. De Tompkins ought to be more par
ticular whom she asks, especially In so
small house. where you couldn't swing
a cat II your life depended on it,"
That's the way some Of the General
Average Ego on" and the more they chat
ter the more likely they are TO have beg
ged for an invitation from poor, abused
Mrs. De Tompkins. 1t Is beyond DOUBT
that women calling themselves ladies'
actually beg for invitations to all manner
OF entertainments, In some cases actually
having the impertinence to present them
selves even without an invitation extort-
ed at the point Of the bayonet. IL Is
not long ago that scene occurred AT
the Chinese Legation so dsgraceful as TO
force our friends from the antipodes 10
issue cards of admission 10 their next
ball IN order TO prevent the presence OF
an unmasked mob. Would you believe
IT," says lady of veracity; i overheard
one Of my acquaintances pleading with
a Chinese official for an invitation TO this
card ball! He politely. but firmly, told
her he could not grant her request. ana
even then she didn't blush!'
Who are the "barbarians"? one need
not be Chinese 20 answer. The offenders
are almost always women. fact which
leads us TO ask where lies that inherent
deiicacy supposed 80 be the brthright or
my sex? If Washington society is to be
endurable, If those on hospitality bent, are
not to be frightened out OF All desire 70
entertain. new code Of etiquette should
be adopted. The solicitations of people
who do not wait TO be asked 70 public
and private functions should be ignored;
cards of admission should be issued to
those who are invited. a land OF alleged
liberty ought not TO mean land OF IN
tolerable liberties. Ladies and gentlemen
win never project themselves unashed
on any host or hostess. Human beings
who do are unfit to associate with those
who would commit har-kari before 50
disgracing themselves.