The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-01-28
Afternoon Teas
BY cORNELIA c. BEDFORD.

When a woman wishes to entertain
and is unable to devote either a great
amount of time or considerable ex-
penSe the most informal method of re-
ceivinS ones friends and acquaint-
anceS IS the afternoon tea.
This alWays-pOpular function is &
daytime affair, hence the master OF
the house is not expected to be pres
ent. The visiting card of the hostess
is used; If very formal, the date OF
day OF the week, also the reception
hours, are written in ink on the lower
left-hand corner of the card. Where
the affair is somewhat more formal
or series Of weekly receptions are
given, the same form should be en-
graved. Replies to such invitations
are not expected. Guests who appear
leave their cards in the server in the
hall: those who cannot come post
them so as to be delivered by the af-
teTnoon mail.
The one or more rooms used should
be quietly attractive; unless sunny
one or more lamps should be lighted
and as twilight approaches the gas
or electric burners are turned on. A
few flowers or potted greens are al
ways an addition. There should be a
maid at the door to open it without
waiting for the bell, and she shOuId
WTdDS
or direct them to the dressing room
The hostess should be in a pretty
afternoon dress without gloves. When
she has no grown daughter, it is Gus
Uonary TO invite one or more friends
70 assist her in receiving. These may
be at once recognized even when in
Productions have been omitted by the
distinctive house dresses which they
wear, and the fact that they are un-
oonneted. The question Of introduc-
tons IS "a mOOtsd one, some hostesses
claiming that the fact of their being
guests is sufficient for conversation at
the time, but awkwardness among
strangers is obviated when presenta-
lions are made. Names are mentioned
and should be received by guests with
a slight bow, smile and a repetition
or the others name. any SUBSEQUENT
recognition resting with the parties
concerned.
Shortly after the first guests appear
one or more OF the aides Of the hos
Tess assumes charge of the tea. table
pouring and serving such refresbn,A7, =,
as are 10 be offered. A maid sbould
be in attendance Cor within caID To
remove soiled cups and renew sun
plies.
In its simplest form the tea tab1a
need be but small one fitted with q
tea equipage and a plate OF wa fers
or fancy cakes. From, that # NAV az
pand in accordance with the desires 81
the hostess. Tea may be the onIv bay-
erage served. or there NAV be two ~
more tables. one devoted TO +es o.
other 10 coffee or bouillon. = +hird ~
chocolate: or one larger table IN an
adjoining room may be used for ali she
forms OF refreshment Only su1cb -
freshments should be proffered as ran
be easily disposed Of without +ba -
moval OF gloves. Sandwiches of vsri-
Gus kinds. fancy cakes and bon hons
come within this limitation
Unless the number OF invited e7,ests
IS extremely small. it is wisest to have
tea STEPPED in the kitchen or buffers
pantry, strained into an ornamentaI
teapot and brought in as often as the
previous quantity IS exhausted. or the
pot has cooled Other drinks can he
kept hot In covered double boilers at
the side OF the Kitchen fire. 10 be sent
IN as needed. For cocoa or Chocolate
and for coffee, whipped cream is de-
s;rable. If the parlor decorations are
Of any special color. such as mink mr.
yellow, the cream may be family tint