MESS MANAGEMENT. 437 
day under 5s. 6d. to Us.; in a large Mess it can be done from 4s. 6d. 
to 5s.aday. For this things should be nice and the feeding good. 
Of course some stations are dearer than others and so it is almost im- 
possible to lay down any exact price. All extras, however, afternoon 
teas, suppers, sandwiches or biscuits must be charged for: these 
charges for meals will not include more than half of the cook’s wages. 
No meals should be sent out of the Mess unless to sick officers and 
no crockery, glass or plate should be allowed to be taken to officers’ 
quarters. 
In giving large entertainments, ball suppers, garden parties and the 
like, if you assist the cook with ready-made dishes from London (Army 
and Navy) a deal of trouble and expense may be saved. Hams, tongues, 
game pies, quails, aspics, cold cutlets, all sweets, fruits and flowers are 
supplied at wonderfully reasonable prices and come down very well 
packed from London in a few hours. 
Where much champagne is used, the empty bottles should never be 
allowed to leave the room until counted, this is a great check on 
pilfering. 
At the close of a ball supper, some officer should lock up the room, 
which should not be opened till next day by the Secretary, who can, 
with the butler and the cook, check the dishes fit to be used for 
luncheons and breakfasts; otherwise, if the room be not locked, it is 
more than possible that nothing but scraps will be found; I have known 
this occur more than once; servants at 4 a.m. after a ball get a bit out 
of hand at times. A ball supper properly managed does not cost half 
what people would think, and the members of the Mess lunch and break- 
fast on the spare hams, pies and tongues for a week after if the doors 
be locked. 
In a Mess the hours for meals should be kept very strictly: break- 
fast, say from 8 to 10.80; luncheon, | to 2.30; dinner, as suits. Any 
one wanting meals at odd hours should pay extra, a stated price being 
fixed. Unless regular hours are kept, the servants cannot possibly get 
through the work. 
The butler and waiter should be given a night out once a week, and 
the butler and assistant should take turns to sit up when late hours are 
kept; the cook will also want a night out now and again, but this also 
can be easily arranged ; servants must have leave, otherwise they will 
not stop. If you can get the butler to take an interest in the Mess 
garden, his health will benefit and the garden will improve. 
The plainest glass is the best and cheapest, club pattern, short, 
straw-stemmed glass (Army and Navy Stores) stands wear and tear 
well and always looks neat, also you can always replace breakages 
with the same, nothing looks much worse at table than odd glasses. 
Crockery of the regimental pattern can always be purchased at very 
cheap rates; the Worcester Porcelain Co., Worcester, are good whole- 
sale people to deal with. 
Local furniture shops are dear and none too good, it is better to send 
to a large London firm and they will send down a man, who will see 
your rooms and take orders; their prices are most reasonable and their 
things very good. Be sure you have at least four or five real easy 
Entertain- 
ments, 
Check the 
empty 
bottles, 
Lock the 
supper room 
door, 
Hours, 
Servants to 
be given 
leave, 
Glass and 
crockery, 
Furniture, 
