Origin of "continental breakfast"

According to EtymOnline, the phrase continental breakfast is from 1911:

1818 as a purely geographical term, from continent + -al (1). In reference to the European mainland (as opposed to Great Britain), recorded from 1760. Continental breakfast (the kind eaten on the continent as opposed to the kind eaten in Britain) is from 1911.

I do doubt whether this estimate of the term's origin is correct. There are instances of it in The Sanitarian", which was written in 1896:

There is also an instance of it in the Philadelphia Friends' Intelligencer in 1877:

Finally, there is a London reference from the 1850s in the Life of William Etty, R. A.:

It is possible that the term is even older, though probably not by much. In any case, the continent refers to the European mainland. So a continental breakfast is the breakfast eaten on this continent. According to Wikipedia, this meal is:

a meal based on lighter Mediterranean breakfast traditions. It is a light meal meant to satisfy one until lunch. A typical continental breakfast consists of coffee and milk (often mixed as cappuccino or latte) or hot chocolate with a variety of sweet cakes such as waffles/pancakes, brioche and starchy foods such as croissants, often with a sweet jam, cream, or chocolate filling. It is often served with juice. The continental breakfast may also include sliced cold meats, such as salami or ham, yogurt or cereal, or a slice of cheese. Some countries of Europe, such as the Netherlands and those in Scandinavia, add fruit and cheese to the bread menu and occasionally a boiled egg or a small serving of salami.

It is unclear whether this is the original contents of such a meal. However, it seems that an English breakfast is different:

Traditionally, people in the United Kingdom and Ireland have enjoyed a substantial hot meal for breakfast, featuring eggs, bacon, and sausages, accompanied by toast and tea or coffee. These items are sometimes eaten separately on morning rolls. In Britain, this was traditionally known as an English breakfast

For reference, the article also mentions why there are hotel Continental breakfasts now:

The continental breakfast concept is not limited to Europe and is often served throughout the world in hotel chains. The term itself is of British origin. "The continent" in Britain refers to the countries of continental Europe. A "continental breakfast" thus denotes the type of lighter meal served in continental Europe, as opposed to the "full" English breakfast.

So it is unclear whether (though the term is British) it was intended to demean the food eaten by continental Europeans. It does, however, create a distinction between the English and continental meals.

I suspect it sells better than "pitifully inadequate but cheaper for us breakfast" !

"Undoubtedly it is true that during the past few years there has been a well defined effort to substitute the Continental breakfast of rolls and coffee for the hearty meal of many dishes that has so long been served in this country but, though this project has received the support of more than one American of high social station, it has failed ignominously, and simply because the great mass of the people agree with William Dean Howells in designating breakfast as their "best meal."

—"Game and Other Delicacies More Expensive...The American Breakfast," New York Times, October 20, 1907 (p. X5)