KETTLE-DEUMS

The origin of kettle-drums is, it must be confessed, some- what obscure, but undoubtedly the rage of the present day for all manner of afternoon entertainments is borrowed from England. It is said that in the reign of Charles the Second kettle-drums were first made popular at the court of that gay monarch. The ladies, returning from the hunt, gathered together for a tea-drinking and some light refreshment, the entertainment being known as a "drum," to which the sig- nificant term " kettle " was later prefixed. Certainly in the eighteenth centuiy kettle-drums were notable entertainments. Pope's couplet about the sociable and gossip-provoking cup of tea. Lad}' Mary TTortley's half-masculine scorn for the tea fights of her lad}T friends, Dr. Jolinson's famous nine cups of tea at Dr. Burney's assembly, when Fanny timidly waited on him, all lend the charm of old-fashioned precedent. And cer- tainly the beverage must have a special virtue of its own, since it appears to move silent tongues, promote sociability in every female assemblage, and refresh the tired spirits after a da}T's " outing " with a balm Johannisberger could not give.

The term "kettle-drum" cannot, therefore, be applied to anything but a tea-drinking, and strictly speaking, your entertainment, if given the quaint name, should include only a light refreshment of sandwiches, cake, and biscuit. In many cases, however, quite an elaborate tea-table is spread at one end of the drawing-room or in an ante-room, and here young ladies frequently preside, drawing the tea without ruin- ing it by boiling. A cozy is very serviceable on such occa-

Social Entertainments.

sions, although it is not commonly known in America, where, alas! the dainty flavor of the tea is so often sacrificed to Betty's mania for parboiling it away on the kitchen fire. This article, indispensable to the English housekeeper, is a wadded hood which covers the tea-drawer, keeping in the steam, and drawing the tea well and quickly. The water should be poured on the tea leaves just boiling, the cozy then applied, and in fifteen minutes you have a delicious cup of tea. The first drawing should be very strong, and hot water may be added to the cups. Cozies may have an outer side of embroid- ered silk or cashmere, so that the effect is pretty and orna- mental.

At kettle-drums teas of various flavors should be served. Breakfast tea should never be made too strong, and pure green tea never used on such occasions. The "Russian tea," to be perfect, should be made in a samovar; but as only half a dozen people in America possess these curious tea-drawers, it is obvious that this must be dispensed with for the so-called Russian tea in common use, which is generally clear tea, well- drawn, with a slice of lemon in it, and sugared to taste. The samovar has a certain complication of charcoal fumes, and special teas are mixed to produce the desired flavor; but a fondness for tea made in this manner is undoubtedly an acquired taste, and the article would hardly pay for the trouble of incorporation. At no afternoon entertainment at present, unless a regular full dress reception, is coffee or wine fashion- able, chocolate or bouillou (a well made beef tea) being the substitutes; and these, as well as tea, should be served in small, dainty cups, the cream and sugar being handed each guest on a salver. Flowers may or may not be used at these afternoon parties. If preferred, a very pretty way to arrange them is to have several tiny kettles filled with beautful blos- soms, and placed in conspicuous places about the rooms.

The afternoon kettle-drum invitation is the visiting card, with "Tea at four o'clock," or "Tea from four to seven," in one corner, with the date or dates specified. To these may be added a silver or gold kettle, which is significant, and so

Social Entertainments.

commonly used in England that stationers provide paper and cards with the design.

The hostess, of course, is ready to receive her friends at the hour named, and welcoming each one with a cordial greeting, must have a general supervision of her guests, although it is impossible to pay much individual attention, and few intro- ductions can be made. The tea may be served the guests soon after entering. Conversation should be general, without wait- ing for an introduction. Unfortunately, in many cases a stiff- ness characterizes these entertainments, which we will venture to assert is purely American — not that hauteur is a national characteristic, but that on such purely informal occasions American women have not always the French or English savoir /aire which makes each guest feel at ease with her neighbor, and a general air of harmony and congeniality pre- vail. The hostess cannot be entirely responsible for the enjoyment of her guests. The constant coming and going- must absorb her time, but it is her duty to diffuse cordiality and an air of genial hospitality, which many ultra fashionables in our little world seem to feel a condescension ! It is on these very formal days that a lady can best prove her perfect ease and good breeding by never substituting stiffness for etiquette, and coldness for aristocratic calm.

The duty of the invited guest is very simple. Kettle-drum invitations require no answer. If more than one date is named, attendance on one occasion is all that is required. Go about half an hour later than the hour named (which, by the way, is an absurd point of etiquette more honored in the breach than the observance), and make your stay from fifteen minutes to an hour's duration. On leaving, always make your adieux to all who are receiving, and having done so, it is not etiquette to linger. A hostess can never accompany any guest towards the door, even on the occasion of a call, unless, indeed, it be a purely informal one.

Evening kettle-drums are far more enjoyable than those given in the day-time, since the guests can remain throughout the evening, introductions may be made, and a very sociable

Social Entertaiments.

character given to the company. The evening kettle-drums, if given only once or twice in the season, should be on a much more elaborate scale than a day-time affair, and the most agree- able method is to serve the tea in courses through the draw- ing-rooms, when the old-fashioned " nests " of tables may be brought into requisition, and small groups gather about them in a sociable way. These evening tea-drinkings are, however, not governed by any such set laws that an original-minded hostess cannot innovate without being peculiar. Indeed, we can only speak of rules in a very general wa}^ for unique ideas are nowadays so creditable that it seems to be the aim of every hostess to devise something new, even -when her invitation bears the conventional formula. Music is hardly, advisable at an evening tea party, which is intended strictly for sociable conversation. Evening kettle-drums may be made delightful, and as entertainments are inexpensive and very sociable.

The question of dress is easily regulated at present. After- noon affairs, unless dancing is included in the invitation, should always be attended in carriage or calling costume, with a bonnet. The hostess may receive in demi-toilette. At ket- tle-drums do not remove your gloves. Never wear 3^our wrap into the drawing-room at kettle-drums or the like, unless it be a part of the whole costume. Natural flowers are worn on all occasions, from breakfast to theater parties, the large belt bou- quets being the most fashionable.

On these minor occasions the Frenchwoman's rule of perfect dress should be remembered: "Bien chaussee, bien gautee, et un joli mouchoir de poche" (well shod, well gloved, and a pretty pocket handkerchief).