Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-28
Especial CorrcsronIcncc.l

Dinner-A simple and Easy Duty.
 SPC'ial CDrrcer,nIVncC.
 NEW YORK. March 19-It is l2 to Ia years since afternoon teas became a form of social entertainment in this country, in the larger cities especially. They wero at first called kCttlcdrums or drums, after tho rather informal functions given by the British army officers in India, in which tea was, as usual with the BritOns, the principal and most eagerly sought refresh ment. What would become of the British empire and constitution without tea? They were in tho bcginninga q now fad and fash ion, but they were soon found to be so convenient, so accommodating so much moro economical than evening parties of any kind, that they havo become pcrma- nent and universal. They havo succeeded and almost replaced the old evening recep- tions of the earlier time.
 Not For the Very Rich.
 Afternoon teas have never, it is fair to infer, been wholly enjoyed by society," that is, by those representing tho great body of guests. Nor havc they who play the part of hostess been really attached to them. except for reasons purely practical. ThCso reasons have grown in the last two years from tho general dullncss of busi- ness and tho diminutiOn of incomes. Con- sCquCntly afternoon teas have increased and fastened themselves more firmly than ever on the community. It seems doubt full now if their hold will bo released in this generation by persons of moderate means particularly. If not delightful, they arc comparatively frugal, and frugal ity must always ho liked in secret by a great many persons who pretend to be far better off than they arc for the sako of
 
 | afflicted with social ambition who has not ample means is apt to bn tempted tu ap- pear otherwise, sincC society and poverty | arc as incompatible as reason and super stitiOn. Society in any strict sunSo means | financial prufuSion, if not prudiEality, so | that afternoon teas, which arc very seldom | profuSu and very seldom nS>umC tO be, arc | necessarily kind of social pinChrrCk. | The und0uhtrd rich do not affect them, | hrcauSr they havu no need tu, and because they usually desire tn b" ustcntatiuus, at | least tu furnish substantial evidence of | their riches,
 ! Why Men Likc Them.
 | Afternoon teas have never materially l altered since their introduction hero. They | generally last now, ns they did at first, | from to : 0 clock, and the hour is named on tho card of invitation. The tea. being l need, offers nn protCXt for anything moro than very simple rrfrcshments, such as | tea, coflCC or chocolate, lemonade, cake, ices and tho like Even these, when taken | however lightly. often blunt the appetite | for dinner and sometimes, if moro than | tasted, spoil it entirely. Men who sci stUro by and take pleasure in that mca | commonly shun the rVfrCShmcnt table al | togCthC and are annoyed by importunitiC. of the hostess OF her assistants to violate the rulo. They even mako the liability tC do so serious objection to attending a tel under any circumstances. Many mon most of them, in truth-resolutely stay away, ridiculing and abusing it roundly They call it water gruel reception, Sunday school party" old ladies fes tival, "Puritanio jollity," 'skimmill mceting," with other rcvilcments. Mover thClcss some men go, though they are eve in n conspicuous minority, and thcre ar those, candor compcls mo to say, who pro tend to like it. They may like it, too. cs pccially they who distinguish themsclvc by their absence. Men frequently culugiz things they take no part in, as conflrmc' bachelors express enthusiasm about mar riagc, who would not takc n wife for kingdom. What is admirable in the ab stract Is often odiOus in tho concrete, Society With Ono Sex.
 As has been said in another article tn bulk of men do not like society, positlvCl