Morning parties, so calied (royal breakfasts occuring at 5 P.M. occasionally), are generally given during the summer or autumn months. In town they are garden parties, breakfasts, five o'clock teas, or concerts; in the country, lawn-tennis or archery meetings.

At the garden parties a splendid dejeuner a la Fourchette is presented to the guests.

A garden party begins at about four o'clock, and usually ends at seven, but very frequently the guests conclude the evening by a dance, and sometimes a regular dinner-party and ball follow it.

* For fuller directions for carving see Warne's "Mcdel Cookery".

But we will speak of the ordinary lawn-tennis party.

Invitations to garden parties name the hour of meeting and that of leaving, generally from four to seven, and state whether lawn-tennis will be played, etc. Croquet is now completely exploded as a fashionable game.

It is usual to play until about six o'clock; then the players go into the house to tea.

The "tea" is a substantial meal, consisting of all kinds of cold delicacies, chickens, mayonaise, ham, ducks, etc. etc.; all kinds of sweets and fruits; tea and coffee. There is frequently champagne for the gentlemen, but wine is not de rigueur, and is rarely given.

These country meetings are remarkably pleasant and social.

After tea, unless invited to remain for the evening, the visitors take their departure.

At morning concerts no refreshments are offered.

"Five o'clock Tea" is now a very popular form of entertainment, though more favoured by ladies than gentlemen. For the large and ceremonious five o'clock tea (of generally from fifty guests and upwards) professional music, both vocal and instrumental, is generally provided. The tea is served in the dining room, and consists of tea and coffee in large urns, sherry, champagne cup, claret cup, ices, fruit, fancy biscuits and cakes, thin bread and butter, potted game, sandwiches, etc. No plates are used except for ices and fruit. For small teas similar refreshments are given on a smaller scale, and the tea is served in the smaller or back drawing room; it is dispensed then by the ladies of the family themselves, not by servants; in the small friendly five o'clock tea only tea, cakes, and bread and butter are served, and there is no entertainment but conversation. Carriages are always kept waiting at afternoon teas, for ladies frequently only remain for a quarter of an hour. At these afternoon teas the hostess does not ring to order the door to be opened to the departing guest, or for her carriage.

The lady makes her own way to the hall and the servants there call up the carriage.*