The Washington herald., 1907-01-27

.
Twenty years ago the French breakfast
at Z or ! o'clock was notable feature
Of social life in Washington, but while
this popular midday function still exists
IL has taken unto itself d new name, and
is now known as luncheon, after the Eng
fish vocabulary. since this is the day Of
things British in social matters. Nova
days one is rarely, if ever, invited 10
breakfast" which was always an absurd
affectation, as most good Americans break
fast at s IN the morning, a rather impos-
sible hour 10 invite guests. But under
whatever name Il masquerades the mid
day meal 20 which We summon our friends
IS an agreeable function, lacking the
formality of a dinner yet retaining all Of
its pleasant qualities Luncheon is essen
TALLY a feminine feast, and one rarely
meets with men at this meal on week
days bat on Sunday such a festivity is
never complete withort the husbands. the
brothers. and sweethearts, whose pres
cnce adds 10 its success and prolOngs IL
far into the afternoon, for men love the
leisure the day brings, and chat for hours
over their liqueurs and coffee. 4 Sunday
luncheon Is. truly, the most sociabIe af-
fair In soclety's calendar There one re-
cites the latest bit of gossip, hears the
newest story, and tears the absent ones
to pieces.
There is a growing tendency 20 make
Of luncheon a formal affair. This is a
great mistake. Formallty should be re-
served for dinners. The midday meal OF
rights should be comfortable and coy.
with nothing left undone 20 inspire good
cheer and confidence. The menu must
be simple and carefully chosen The
smartest entertainers serve only five or
six c9urses-fruit. bouillou, an eutree
game. salad. and dessert. with a light
white or red wine and settler. That Is
the ideal luncheon. To offer champagne
at noon Is IN the worst possible taste,
unless the custom. which obtains in some
parts OF Europe is followed OF serving
a glass of champagne before the soup
which takes the place Of our deadly cock
TAIL and enlivens the meal Liqueurs
and cigars are as az dinner, passed after
the dessert when men are present. If
only women make up the party. cigar
cites are offered. for. unhappily, perhaps
it has become an accepted thing for So
ciety women TO smoke ia their own
homes and in the houses Of their friends
We are not writing a homily or else q
regret might be expressed that this un-
pleasant, unfeminine, and. surely, un-
American custom is growing and that
the number of women who habitually
smoke is increasing rather than diminish
ing.
It is most regFcttable that tire custom
of having afternoon tea, so general in
England, has not taken deeper root in
America. In a few families It is an es-
tablished habit 10 serve tea at > O'Clock.
but in only a few. Americans lack the
repose and calm 90 sit quietly for an
hour or so, slipping tea while they gossip
with whoever happens 90 be about. as do
our cousins English. who count afternoon
tea the most important function of the
day. their devotion 20 this beverage Civ
ing rise to the expression "delirium tea
mems
Every one who has Travelled in the
Orient will remember The little poem on
the teapots one meets with ar the cosn,o-
politan hotels, written originally i'm Chi
nese, but translated into every language
under the sun, which reads about as fol
lows, ON a slow fire set tripod. fiji II
with clear rain water Cook 1t as long
as 1t would take TO turn fish white and
Holsters red. Pour this on the delicate
leaves of tea and let it remain as long
as the vapor rises in a cloud. At your
leisure drink the pure liquor. which will
chase away the five causes Of trouble. d"
This classic recipe could not be improved
upon, and IS recommended 20 all those
who seek TO make afternoon tea popular.
The things that can be served with tea
are innumerable. but the most appetiz-
ing dish 70 go with it is buttered toas.
or buttered toasted mullins. There is
nothing more delicious than the latter
which made the international reputation
of the quaint little tea shop in Paris, 10
rue CambOn. but it is practically impos-
sible 10 find them as they really ought TO
be in America. as impossible as it is TO
get decent piece of toast in Paris or
Berlin. All sorts of cake are offered
The piece de resistance on the tea table
of the British Embassy in the Paunccfote
regime was plum cake-and such plum
cake,
It is not in good taste to load a tea
table with heavy things. such as salads.
-..... ,J.,-f,.t.- o,l +Na ILL, n,o H..
not expect to make a meal at o'clock.
but merely 10 take little rcfreshment.
the real object of the whole affair being
ID bring family and friends together and
to invoke conversation and geniality by
that coy cup" which. is is recorded.
Inspired Johnson, who was a victim Of
the tea habit. to write "Rasselas."
The Arbiter has been asked TO write
something regarding the etiquette Of
cards. a simple subject, but one TO which
great attention should be paid, because in
this, as in all social matters, it is fatal to
err. When calling on mere acquaintance
visiting cards should invariably be left.
whether the person or persons on whom
one is calling are home or not, In late
years it has become the fashion TO leave
a card for each member of the family
For instance, if Mr.. and Mrs. Smith are
calling upon Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Miss
Nathalie Jones, Miss Harriet Jones. and
Mr.. John Jones. Mrs. Smith should leave
card upon Mrs. Jones and one upon
each Of the young ladies OF the family If
they are recognized as being in society.
and three of her husbands cards. one for
Mr.. Jones' one for Mrs Jones. and one
for Mr.. Joha Jones. This innovation