The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-13
THE s O'CLOCK TEA TABLE.
Suggestions For Its Tasteful and Fashion
able Fitment.

able Fttfnent.
A correspondent asks for information
concerning the propcr fitting of a d
O'Clock tea table.
Beginning with tho table itself, it
may DO n small oval, circular or hexayon
shape. Any ~ of these is preferable to
a square one. Tables are shown in Shows
that uro provided with small leaves. OF
arms, n few inches wide, tn opcn out in
all directions. Such nro not especially
commended. Their effect is not as GOOD
as pieces OF furniture, and they perform
their Office in rather an uncertain man
ner. Even four or five persons surround
ing such Il table endanger its freight, a
slight Jostle being sufficient to overturn
n cup or plato on ono OF lis frailly sup
ported arms.
Ii the surface of tho table is highly
polished. aud it is preferred not to cover
1t entirely, Il handsome square or round
centerplece dolly, which is only a din.
ner conterpioce, is used. or "A toucluth a
yard Square may p~rettily and wholly
veil 1t. Tho Dresden designs arc not so
much in vogue rs they were. Our un-
happy fashion of doing everything to
NofN'i ~ W DE'fhCIl, IlllIN II
empire effects, has worked It's inoyita.
bio reaction, and tho powdering of linen
with gay littlo blossoms is not much
countonanced. Anything that is well
done, however, remains beautiful, and
those who have fine pieces of such nee
dlework should let them SEQ tho light
frequently. In planning IA now cloth
some lator design may be- employed.
For tho actual impcdimenta Of tho Ia
bio there ono required n toa caddy, a hot
water kettle, IL coy, n wafer or cracker
dish, two or three pretty ups and sau-
GERS, cream jug and sugar bowl.
A fiagon for alcohol is sometimes
enumerated, but this and nspoon basket
are like tho tables with leavcs-olabo-
rating a function whose simplicity is its
warrant. Tho alcohol should be put in
tho lamp out of the room. 1t is often
attended with "a little splitting, and it
is much bcttor 10 have the lamp ready
for lighting beforehand. The tea caddy
ought to DO of silver; on q handsome
table it is. 1t should have a measuring
cover, this little distinction bong one
thai those in tho know insist upon.
10 measure the tea with a spoon is not
considered quito SO correct and SO red
client of tho old time flavor as to uso
the cup cover of the caddy, lone fill to
a brew. a glass mat may bc provided
TO set the hot teapot upon, and the
spoons are laid loose upon the table.
These, by the way, as well as the cups.
should DO usablo ones. In the DAYS of
souvenir spoons the rage for variety be-
got some curious traycsties of these use
full table implements. One felt grateful
II ono was not offered n perforated bowl.
SO twisted and grotesque and abnormal
were tho changes rung upon tea and
coffee spoons. Cups should hold more
than an actual thimbloful, though they
need not hold a pint, and should bear
some relation TO the laws of gravitation
III thoir poise upon tie saucer. They
should lave u smooth rim. a nuted
edgo is "a most uncomfortable finish for
a drinking vessel. Tho wafer basket
may he silver, china OF cut glass, with
again a preference for silver. 4 tiny or
namental vase or dish may hold natchcs.
1t seems almost needless to add the
caution that "A parlor tea table should
be kept III Is state of irreproachable
cleanliness, but the experience, once or
twice encountered, of having "A scum of
dust rise on tea offered during a call on
another than the hostess regular day at
home aroused the suspicion that some
parlor tea tables arc kcpt-liko some par
lor bric-a- brac-dusted only OH ompan
days.-Now York Times.