The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-10-21
TEA-TIME IN SPAIN.

English Custom of O'Clock Refresh
 nlent Being Adopted.
 British consuls abroad have unique chances to popularize, if they can, the customs of their native land in the realm of their adoption, since their authority excuses eccentricity and so- cially their lead is seldom criticized. Our consul at Cadiz, for instance, is credited with an attempt to popularize our cherished English festival, five Lock tea" But his attempted con- ,Eersion is limited ito the juveniles of his acquaintance whom he invited to sstea, cakes and bon bons." The Cadiz papers, according to report, have noticed the innovation most seri- ously, describing the ''truly English custom as one worthy of adoption.
 It is, indeed, worthy of adoption if the Spaniards do not adopt it's refresh ing possibilities to excess-a fault too often to be attributed to this impetuous Southern people. Any new idea is forced to exaggeration but in the end the spaniards usually revert to a happier medium than has before been conceived. And so it may be with the new fad of five o'clock tea" The meal, the place of which it would take, could very well be improved on. It corresponds to a late luncheon, or the Spanish il o'clock breakfast. The table is laden with sweetmeats, often homemade, weird in shape and color, and very sweet, homemade 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-f1avored concoction, and wine is, as rule, the only liquor served
 It is only natural, considering the solidity of their afternoon meal, that the Spaniards consider our, afternoon meal frivolous, and when they do in- dulge in 1t is usually sandWiched be- tween 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 breakfast is very popular in the English homes. but even if it is not, it is observed by the Spanish servants, who will not dis pense with the usual bowl of gof1o. Tn compliment the Spaniards have en- deavored to adopt our o'clock tea, yet they cannot get reconciled to the un- satisfying progress of 8 "handed-round" tea. The meal must be properly at table, where all can sit, and the meal partaken of with all seriousness, more after the fashion of our north country teas.
 Recently most ludicrous illustration of the Spaniards' conception of what '5 o'clock tea' should be was given during the visit of the Spanish fleet to one of her colonies. Invitations were issued by the Nautical Club for tea and dancing at o'clock, and the gathering from the fleet and town was tremendous. Tea commenced when the guest arrived, and concluded only with the departure of the last. Fair daugh- ters of Spain returned after each dance for more tea, but the chaperones, grow ing tired of their vigil and the insipid cup, varied the refeshment with beer, and eventually with champagne. The dancers regaled themselves during the long waits of the ''ricordan'' with in- numerable cups of tea, the side couples set the figure Altogether it 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 courtesies and observances of 5 o'clock tea are very well under stood, and often the interchange of hospitality leaves the credit balance on the Spanish side. In some Spanish households it is as much an institution as is ours, and every year will see it's adoption become more general-Lon- don Telegraph.