The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-11-21
THE AFTERNOON TEA.
Hints For the Woman Who Has ever In
dulged in This Luxury

There is popular impress ion that
the afternoon tea is favorits func-
ton" from Alaska TO Florida, and that
there exists no woman who ha S enough
friends TO invite 10 anything who has
not given tea. This is mist AXE. The
afternoon tea Is popular, tO be sure.
The women who have Civ en- il are
numbered by the thousands but the
women who have not Civ en- IL are
counted by tens of thousa ads. They
give ''suppers" instead to the village
sewing circle. and invite their friends
10 come in during the ever ing and par
take of cake and cream" These sub
stitutes for the afternoon tea are dis
NAL affairs, and should be consigned
10 the desutudc they des erve. Let the
afternoon tea penetrate even to the
businesses of villages and become
known among the dwell ers in flats.
The first requisites foI' the successful
giving of this festivit are teacups,
spoons. tea-kettle. doy lies, tea-cloth,
cracker-jar, alcohol bot tie and tea ball.
These may be of any degree of SPLEEN
dor or Of cheapneSs. There are very
which may be bOugnt for six cents
each, and there are also wonderful az
fairs of egg-sheil china, tinted like
Towers and guarded by an armor Of
silver flagree, which may be bought
for about SIX dollars each. Between
these there all degrees of fneness and
coarsenesS.
The tea-kettle is also something
which may be bought for almost any
price. Two dollars viii pay for
bright little brass affair standing over
an alcohol lamp. For q little more
one may be bought swinging from
an iron crane. Silver ones and copper
ones are also To be had at various
prices. The alcohol bottle is generally
of cUt-glass Sometimes an old-fa>h-
toned decanter Is used The tea bali is
a perforated silver affair. into which
the tea leaves are put. and il has 1t
tie silver chain by which il is suspend
ed in the cup Of boiling water. II viii
cost three dollars or folr dollars. The
little spoons. IN these days % cheap
silver, may be bought for six dollars
dozen. The linen - usually embrCj-
dered. and may cost almost any price.
Generally. however. the embroidery IS
done az nome. and the cost OF the
cloths and doylies IS very materially re-
duced.
Invitations 20 tea arc very inform
a. The hostess sends ont her cards
with at home and the date written
in the lower corner. u she designs 20
be a. home ever week she viii nave
her Cay engraved in one corner and
VIII always be prepared - welcome
friends on that day
The requisites for successful a.
home are a white-cappec maid % ad-
nit the guests. a genial hostess and 4
pretty girl 20 sit behind tho tea "a bio
in one corner and 20 dispense tea and
smiles, flowers or come OF the tables
Tea and waters. with. perhaps. few
bonbons. are enough IN the line q re-
fresnments tgr al ordinary tea For
more formal a. home. more food, as
well a. more ceremony, is required
When one sntsnds 20 give az after
room reception she should have tgvo
rooms reserved for cloak rooms. ami
should have her dining room opened
fo- the tea. LEAVING tac drawing room
free fa- guests % move about IN.
Tae dining room snould be 0arkened.
the table spread with candles. flowers
and bon bona ~ the end a young
woman should dispensc chocolate AMI
a. t1e other tea There sa5al1 -
yvafe-s. biscuits. salad and ices The
hostess should - free % welcome tie
coming ana speed che parting guest
A. ne smaller sort ~ affair TIE host
ess may brew ard serve ae- own fes
from ler te4-tzo.e correr.-N.
u old