mn of ice cream. Surround with fresh berries at the base with a few
large perfect berries on top.

A JAPANESE TEA. 2.

Instead of using the orthodox square at home cards, write the
invitations on long, thin, narrow slips of paper, the lettering running
from the bottom to the top and from right to left; a few queer birds,
the suggestion of a lantern and a falling chrysanthemum splashed in
carelessly in sepia, are very effective touches. The cherry-blossoms are
used in decorating, which are simply little, round, white paper petals
with the edges dipped in red dye, fastened to boughs and put up
everywhere, as are also the fluffy chrysanthemums, dainty butterflies,
and a profusion of cheap little fans.

A huge Japanese umbrella hangs over the tea-table, at which four girls
dressed in kimonas preside, while two others are in the drawing room.

The kimonas, which are very easily made, are all different in color,
although a two-color scheme would, perhaps, be prettier--say white and
yellow, or white and mauve, with chrysanthemums to correspond.

The refreshments are, perhaps, the most novel part of the whole idea.
Instead of the conventional salads, ices, cakes, etc., the guests are
served with delicious tea, in the daintiest of Japanese cups, and hot
buttered baps. During the afternoon have selections from "The Geisha,"
"The Mandarin," "The Little Tycoon," and "The Mikado."

A JAPANESE TEA. 3.

At a Japanese Tea, several small tables are used, set at intervals in
the room; these are generally presided over by the hostess and the
ladies who receive with her, each being furnished with a tea service.
They are laid in white damask or linen embroidered in a Japanese design,
the center is occupied by a circular mound of red blossoms which
symbolize the emblem of the Flowery Kingdom's flag, combining the
national colors also red and white.

In the middle of the mound, slightly elevated, there is placed a
"Jinriki-sha," which is the riding vehicle of Japan, a two-wheeled
affair resembling our modern dog-cart; it is drawn by a man in costume
and seated in it is a woman, also in costume, holding above her and
large enough to extend over the table, one of those grotesque paper
umbrellas, which are as much a part of that country as its rice and tea.
The edges of these are festooned with red and white flowers and hung
with the smaller sized, globe shaped lanterns that are used profusely
about the room also, for decorating and