Morning, my fellow history geeks (and tea-lovers!)
I thought I’d share with you this amusing satirical 19thcentury print I bought at auction recently. As you can see, it shows a lovely interior scene with classic Regency-style furniture, and a family and guest taking tea. It’s entitled “ A Tea-Party or English Manners and French Politeness” and the inscription below the illustration says: “A Frenchman not aware of the custom constantly returned his cup without the spoon in it – which being immediately replenished by the Lady of the house, he though I t a point of politeness to drink the contents which he continued to do, to the great surprise of the company until he perceived the Lady pouring out the 14thcup, when he rose in great agony and cried Ah! Madame, excuse me I can take no more.”
I wasn’t aware of this tea-time custom, but I suppose we should infer that in 1835 (so during the Reign of William IV, which came directly after the Regency and George IV’s reign) it was recognized that if you returned your cup to your hostess WITH a spoon, it meant you were finished with your tea. If you returned it WITHOUT the spoon, it was a signal that you wanted a refill!
The R.C. and Anchor is for the artist Isaac Robert Cruickshank, (printmaker; painter/draughtsman; British; Male; 1789 – 1856) who is the brother of the more famous George Cruickshank.
Time to put the kettle on!
