Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-27
TEA-TIME IN SPAIN.
English Custom of O'Clock Refresh
ment Being Adopted.
From the London Telegraph.

FROM the LONDON Telegraph.
British consuls abroad have uniaue
chances to popularize If they can, the Gus
toms Of their native land in the realm of
their adoption, since their authority excuses
eccentricity, and socially their lead is sell
dom criticised. Our consul at Cadiz for
instance, Is credited with an attempt to
popularize our cherished English festival,
five o'clock tea" But his attempted con-
version is limited to the Juveniles Of his ac-
quaintance, whom he invited to tea, cakes
and bon bons" The Cadiz papers, accord
ing to report, have noticed the innovation
most seriously, describing the truly Eng
lish custom as one worthy of adoption.
1t is, indeed. worthy of adoption If the
Spaniards do not adopt its refreshing posi-
bilities to excess-a fault too often to be
attributed to this impetuous southern peo-
pie. Any new idea is forced to exagger-
alton, but in the end the Spaniards usually
revert to happier medium than has be-
fore been conceived. And so it may te
with the new fad of five O'Clock tea" The
could very well be improved on. 1t CORE
spends to a late luncheon, or the Spanish II
o'clock breakfast The table is laden with
sweetmeats, often homemade, weird in
shape and color, and very sweet home
made cakes and biscuits, rich buildings and,
on festive occasions, jellies and blanc
mango. These delicacies are preceded by a
meat dish, such. for instance, as tongue
served with marmalade, or a garlic-fayored
concoction and wine Is, as rule, the only
liquor served.
1t is only natural considering the solidity
of their afternoon meal, that the Spaniards
consider our afternoon tea frivolous and
when they do indulge in 1T it Is usually
sandwiched between two of the regular
| meals. In the colonies of Spain where the
number OF English residents is large
enough, the most curious concessions have
been arrived at. The Spanish late break
fast Is very popular in the English homes
but even If 1t is not 1t is observed by the
Spanish servants who will not dispense
with the usual bowl of gofio. In compIi-
ment, the Spaniards have endeavored to
adopt our o'clock tea, yet they cannot get
| reconciled to the unsatisfying progress of
"handed-round' tea. The meal must be
properly set at table where all can sit
and the meal partaken of with ell serious
ness. more after the fashion of our north
country teas
Recently a most ludicrous Illustration of
the Spaniards' conception of what "5
o'clock tea" Shout / be was given during the
visit of the Spanish fleet to one of her colo
| MES. Invitations were issued by the Nau-
| teal Club for tea and dancing at 5 O'Clock
and the gathering from the feet and town
was tremendous. Tea commenced when the
guests arrived, and concluded only with the
departure of the last. Fair daughters of
Spain returned after every dance for more
tea, but the chaperones, growing tired OF
their vigil and the inspid cup, varied the
refreshment with beer and eventually
with champagne The dancers regale
themselves during the long waits of the
"ricordan" with innumerable cups of tea,
the side couples refreshing themselves while
the top couples set the figure. Altogether Il
was an amusing function, the queerest blend
of Spanish and English ideas. When. the
best Spanish and English families however
are on intimate visiting terms. the cour-
tesies and observances of 5 o'clock tea are
very well understood. and often the inter-
change of hospitality leaves the credit ball
ance on the Spanish side. In some Spanish
households 1t is as much an institution as IN
ours. and every year win see its adoption
become more general.