The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-11
Especial Correspondence.I

Especial Correspondence.
New YORK, March 1S.-It is 12 to l )
years since afternoon teas became form
of social entertainment in this country,
in the larger cities especially. They
were at first called kettledrums or
drums, after the rather informal func-
tions given by the British army officers
| In India, in which tea was, as usual
with the Britons, the principal and
most eagerly sought refreshment. What
would become Of the British empire and
constitution without tea? They were in
the beginning a new fad and fashion,
but they were soon found to be SO con-
venient, so accommodating, so much
more economical than evening parties
Of any kind, that they have become per-
manent and universal They have sue
| ceeded and almost replaced the old even
ing receptions Of the earlier time.
Afternoon teas have never, it is fair
to infer, been wholly enjoyed by society
that is, by those representing the great
body of guests. Nor have they who play
the part of hostess been really attached
to them, except for reasons purely prac-
tical. These reasons have grown in the
last two years from the general dizziness
of business and the diminution of in
comes. Consequently afternoon teas
have increased and fastened themselves
more firmly than ever on the communi-
ty. 1t seems doubtful now if their hold
will be released in this generation by
persons of moderate means particularly.
If not delightful, they are comparative
~ frugal, and frugality must always be
liked in secret by great many persons
who pretend to be far better off than
they are for the sake of making some
figure in society. Any one afflicted
with social ambition who has not ample
means is apt to be tempted to appear
otherwise, since society and poverty are
as incompatible as reason and supersti-
ton. Society in any strict sense means
financial profusion, if not prodigality,
SO that afternoon teas, which are very
seldom profuse and very seldom assume
to be, are necessarily kind of social
pinchbeck. The undoubted rich do not
affect them, because they have no need
to, and because they usually desire to be
Ostentatious, at least to furnish substan-
t1al evidence or their riches.
Afternoon teas have never materially |
altered since their introduction here. |
They generally last now, as they did at |
first, from to o'clock, and the hour |
is named on the card of invitation. The |
tea, being held between luncheon and |
dinner, has no need, offers no pretext, |
for anything more than very simple re- |
freshments such as tea, coffee or choco- |
late, lemonade, cake, ices and the like. !
Even thesa,Swhen taken however light |
ly, often blunt the appetite for dinner
and sometimes, if more than tasted, |
spoil it entirely. Men who set store by |
and take pleasure in that meal common
ly shun the refreshment table altogether
and are annoyed by opportunities of the
hostess or her assistants to violate the
rule. They even make the liability to
do so a serious objection to attending
tea under any circumstances. Many men
most of them, in enthusiastically
stay away, ridicuIing and abusing it
They call it ''water Cruel re-
ception, " Sunday school, party, :" ''old
ladies' festival" ''PuriEanic jo1lity,"
'skimmilk function, - Quaker feast"
anxious meeting, with other revile-
ments. Nevertheless some men go,
though they. are ever in conspicuous
and there are those, candor
compels me to say, who pretend to like it.
AS has been said in another article, the
bulk Of men do not like society, posi-
lively dislike it indeed, though they
share in it because their feminine kim
dred persuade them to. And then they
the improperly of women 60
mo ont R1t woman NOT mood
any escort to a tea, which generally oc-
ours during daylight, and their natural
protectors do not seem impolite or I'M
gallant in not accompanying them.
Many q husband and a father, there
fore, praises teas without stint;
thinks them beneficial, interesting, de-
Iightful; hopes that in time they will
every other form of social en-
etc., for no other reason
han that he keeps clear Of them. Who
1as not heard men say they would be re-
oiced if society might be carried on by
)ne sex alone?
The duties to be discharged at tea |
ire very slight and need occupy very
little time. All one needs do is to greet
he hostess and her husband, if he be
alive or present, walk through the draw
ng room, bowling to such acquaintance
IT friends as one may find, decline re-
if offered, take leave of the
hostess and depart. Most guests do more
han this, to be sure, but more is not
njoined. They stand around, prattle,
gossip, exchange insincere, meaning 1
ess compliments, drink cup Of tea,
ibble biscuit, perhaps swallow an ice
nd then betake themselves to dinner.
Few remain beyond an hour at furthest;
nost of them not beyond half an hour; 4
ONE but 10 or 5 minutes. At a large
ca they come and go continually. It
5 remarkable how many may be in
tied without suffocation. The rooms
re packed at intervals, but they are
peedily relieved; the pressure is never
ong. a tea is given SO that social OBJ
cations may he DISCHARGED at small |