Future Queen Invents Teapot

Princess Mary of Teck became Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 6 May 1910 until 29 January 1936, as the wife of King-Emperor George V.
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A new “hygienic” teapot is the invention of a woman, and a royal woman at that, Princess May of Teck. She has just exhibited the pot in the group of nursing and sick-room appliances displayed in London previous to their forwarding to the Columbian Exposition. 

The model is in plain silver and made in two sections, the upper one of which is the receptacle for the tea. This is furnished with a double and extremely fine sieve, through which the water poured in at the top filters so slowly, that by the time it has reached the lower section all the good quality of the tea is extracted. The principle is quite similar but an improvement on the Japanese teapots, with perforated cups, sold here in New-York. – The New York Times, 1893

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J, Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

“No, Thank You” to Tea Custom

Afternoon tea in New York business houses is not desired, and if it were, it’s introduction would be impossible. We are all hard at work at the British tea time, except our few men of leisure who are frequently hard put to find playmates.– 1912

Whoever suggested the adoption and our embracing of the English custom of 4:00 tea in business offices deserves rebuke. No New Yorkers, no Americans in this degree of latitude or here about, need to stop work and the busiest hours of the day to drink tea. If we are wise, we breakfast lightly, lunch moderately and briefly, and in the evening, dine intelligently and without excess. We need nothing more to eat. 

The London atmosphere is oppressive. Along in the afternoon one who is working there feels the need of some sort of stimulative substance, and tea is better than whiskey and soda. Sensible Americans, we like to think, have got over the habit of drinking whiskey in the daytime, most Americans drink very little at any time. The increased internal revenue receipts indicate the larger wealth of the vastly increased population.

Afternoon tea in New York business houses is not desired, and if it were, it’s introduction would be impossible. We are all hard at work at the British tea time, except our few men of leisure who are frequently hard put to find playmates. If we like, we take it at breakfast instead of coffee. It is a good substitute, but probably the American who uses either or both very moderately is wise. 

We may continue to ape the British fashions in men's dress, but let us avoid the British custom of mixing up tea and business. “Concentration” for the few hours of the working day, as one of our readers declared in a letter printed in this page yesterday, is essential. The lunch “hour” takes an hour and a half of the day. The tea would take another hour. We're not rich enough yet for that sort of wastefulness. — The New York Times, 1912

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia