The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-27
THE AFTERNOON TEA.
An Easy Way to Repay Social
Obligations.
JUNIUS HENRI BROWNE DISCUSSES
A Popular Form of Entertainments foz.
Persons OF Moderate 1Aeans-Be-
tween Luncheon and Dinner-A Sir
pie ana Easy Duty.

pie and Easy Duty.
NEW YORK, March 18.-It is 10 to Is
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-
teal. These reasons have grown in the
last two years from the general dullness
of business and the diminution of in
comes. Consequently afternoon teas
have increased and fastened themselves
more firmly than ever on the communi-
ty. It 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 a 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 arc
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-
tial evidence of their riches.
Afternoon teas have never materially
altered since their introduction here.
They generally last now, as they did ar
first, from 4 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 these, when taken however light
", 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
~ 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 serious objection to attending Il
tea under any circumstances. Many men
most of them, in enthusiastically
stay away, ridiculing and abusing il
roundly. They call it water Cruel re-
ception, - Sunday school party, - ''old
ladies' festival, - 'tPuritanic jollity,''
''skimmilk function, :" Quaker FEAST
'tanxious meeting, with other revile-
ments Nevertheless some men go.
though they are ever in a conspicuous
minority, 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 kin
bred persuade them to. And then they
! recognize the improperly of women GO
! ing out alone But women do not need
any escort to a tea, which generally &C.
ours during daylight, and their natural
/ protectors do not seem impolite or I'M
gallant in not accompanying them.
Many a husband and a father, there
fore, praises teas without stint;
thinks them beneficial, interesting, de-
1ightful; hopes that in time they will
! supersede every other form of social en-
tertainment, etc., for no other reason
than that he keeps clear Of them. Who
has not heard men say they would be re-
joiced if society might be carried on by
one sex alone?
The duties to be discharged at tea
are very slight and need occupy very
little time. All one needs do is to greet
the hostess and her husband, if he be
alive or present, walk through the draw
ing room, bowling to such acquaintance
| or friends as one may find, decline re-
freshments if offered, take leave of the
hostess and depart. Most guests do more
! than this, to be sure, but more is not
enjoined. They stand around, prattle,
gossip, exchange insincere, meaning
less compliments, drink cup of tea,
nibble a biscuit, perhaps swallow an ice
and then betake themselves to dinner.
Few remain beyond an hour at furthest;
most of them not beyond half an hour;
some but o or Is minutes At large
tea they come and go continually. It
is remarkable how many may be in
vited without suffocation. The rooms
are packed at intervals, but they are
speedily relieved; the pressure is never