Daily routine

Daily routine

Time of meals changes over time, and by place.

One example, country house (from notes, no ref. cited) in 1784:

9 AM: Breakfast, tea, coffee, chocolate, bread taken communally. Newspapers read.

10 AM: everyone goes to their own devices.

4 PM: gather in drawing room prior to dinner. Dinner lasts 4-5 hours.
2 hours eating, then covers removed and wine, fruit, nuts and biscuits laid out. Servants leave.
Ladies drink wine for about half an hour then leave.
The men stay and drink. Everyone has to drink. In 2-3 hours, they go to the drawing room to join the ladies for tea.
Entertainment, music, whist etc. Often punch is served.

Midnight: cold meat served. Or supper?