|
| CEYLON TEA ROOM, WOMAN'S BUILDING - The large
company of Singhalese which arrived in Chicago in the winter-time,
early in 1893, set resolutely at work under Mr. Grinlinton and
prepared not only its main building or court in the region of France
and Germany, on the lake shore, but set up tea-booths in the
Agricultural, Manufactures, and Woman's Buildings. Their hope was to
further introduce their spices, ebony and tea to the Western
Republic, and British interests were behind them. There was the
frugal hope, however, that the tea-salons would be profitable, and
there is little doubt that this hope was realized. The scene before
us represents the most elegant of these places of refreshment. It
was built at the southern end of the main floor of the Woman's
Building, and at the foreground, inside the ropes, excels in the
display of luxurious and beautiful furnishings. The difference
between this inclosure and that to which the general public was
invited for the purpose of purchasing tea may be easily detected. A
parlor of delicate and wonderful carvings and embroideries is on one
side, a restaurant on the other. The hangings of the entire room,
the parlor, the scent of sandal-wood, the carved ceilings, well-lit
with electricity, and above all the gentle demeanor of the
Singhalese, endeared the resort to tea-lovers, and probably won many
of them over to the use of the new brand. |
