250 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



The lady who is the greatest stranger should be taken down by the 

 master of the house, and the gentleman who is the greatest stranger should 

 conduct the hostess. Married ladies take precedence of single ladies, 

 elder ladies of younger ones, and so forth. 



When dinner is announced, the host offers his arm to the lady of most 

 distinction, invites the rest to follow by a few words or a bow, and leads 

 the way. The lady of the house should then follow with the gentleman 

 who is most entitled to that honour, and the visitors follow in the order 

 that has been previously arranged. The lady of the house frequently re- 

 mains, however, till the last, that she may see her guests go in their 

 prescribed order ; but the plan is not a convenient one. It is much better 

 that the hostess should be in her place as the guests enter the dining-room 

 in order that she may indicate their seats to them as they enter, and not 

 find them all crowded together in uncertainty when she arrives. 



The plan of cards, with the names of the guests on them, opposite their 

 chairs, is a very useful one. 



The lady of the house takes the head of the table. The gentleman who 

 led her down to dinner occupies the seat on her right hand, and the 

 gentleman next in order of precedence, that on her left. The master of 

 the house takes the foot of the table. The lady whom he escorted sits on 

 his right hand, and the lady next in order of precedence on his left. 



As soon as you are seated at table, remove your gloves, place your table 

 napkin across your knee, and remove the roll which you will probably find 

 within to the left side of your plate. 



The soup should be placed on the table first. All well-ordered dinners 

 begin with soup, whether in summer or winter. The lady of the house 

 should help it, and send it round without asking each individual in turn. 

 It is as much an understood thing as the bread beside each plate, and 

 those who do not choose it are always at liberty to leave it untasted. 



In eating soup, remember always to take it from the side of the spoon, 

 and to make no sound in doing so. 



If the servants do not go round with wine, the gentlemen should help 

 the ladies and themselves to sherry or sauterne immediately after the 

 soup. 



You should never ask for a second supply of either soup or fish ; it de- 

 lays the next course, and keeps the table waiting. 



Never offer to " assist " your neighbours to this or that dish. The word 

 is inexpressible vulgar all the more vulgar for its affectation of elegance. 

 " Shall I send you some mutton ? " or " may I help you to canvas back ?" is 

 better chosen and better bred. 



