THE DINNER TABLE. 



leads the way. The lady of the house should then follow with the .1:011- 

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

 order that the master of the house has previously arranged. The lady of 

 the house frequently remains however, till the last, that she may see her 

 guests go down in the prescribed order ; but the plan is not a convenient 

 one. It is much better that the hostess should be in her place as the 

 sts enter the dining-room, in order that she may indicate their seats, 

 to them as they come in, and not find them all crowded together in uncer- 

 tainty when she arrives. If cards with names are on the table seek that 

 of the lady whom you have taken to dinner. 



The number of guests at a dinner-party should always be determined 

 by the size of the table. When the party is too small, conversation 

 flags, and a general air of desolation pervades the table. When they are 

 too many, everyone is inconvenienced. A space of two feet should be al- 

 lowed to each person. It is well to arrange a party in such wise that the 

 number of ladies and gentlemen be equal. 



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 gen- 

 tleman 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 hi- 

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



The gentlemen who support the lady of the house should offer to relieve 

 h-r of the duties of hostess. Many ladies are well pleased thus to dele- 

 the difficulties of carving, and all gentlemen who accept invitations 

 to dinner should be prepared to render such assistance when called upon. 

 To offer to carve a dish, and then perform the office unskilfully, is an un- 

 pardonable ;f,ui.<'l"'rii'. Every gentleman should carve, and carve well. 



d at the table, remove your gloves, place 



tahle napkin across your knees, and remove the roll which you find prob- 

 ably within it to the h-l't side of your plate. 



The snup should be placed on the table first. 



In eating 90Up, n-im -ml.er always to take it from the side of the sj 

 and to make no sound in doing so. 



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

 and themselves to slimy or sauterne immediately after the soup. 



You should never ask I'm- a second supply of either soup or fish ; it 

 <l-lay> the aezi eoane and keeps tin- table waiting. 



ar (-tl'.'r to "assist " your nei^lil.Minx t> this 01- that dish. The word 

 i'ly vulgar- -all the more \ ul. 



