Ingredients
- a slice of lemon
- two kinds of animal food
- two kinds of pastry be eaten from the same plate
- two wide
- one side
- one plate should be at each seat
- two each of forks
- one knife should 1
Directions
Never let two kinds of animal food or two kinds of pastry be eaten from the same plate ; make a fresh course of each.
Cards on plates, bearing the names of company, so as to seat them with reference to congeniality, are very important. For host or hostess to mar- shal them after they are in the dining-room is not nearly so easy as for them to marshal themselves by the cards, and the host and hostess are sure, in the confusion of the moment, to get people placed exactly as they did not intend to have them.
Cut pieces of bread about four inches long, two wide and two thick, ancl always place a piece beside each plate in setting the table.
Finger bowls are to be passed after pastry on plates with doileys between the plates and the bowls. The plates are to be used for fruits and nuts, if there are any. If none arc handed, the finger bowl will not bo taken fi-oni the plate. The finger bowl should be filled about one-third, contain a slice of lemon, and in very warm weather, a bit of ice.
It is well to have a dish, at one side, independent of any that may oe on the table, with grapes cut into small bunches, and oranges and hirge fruits halved. If fruit decorating the table is to be used, let it be removed and pre- pared before it is passed.
Avoid cane seats in a dining room. AVhere fine fabrics and laces are kept on them so long a time continuously (longer than anywhere else) they play havoc.
One plate should be at each seat. The raw oysters or clams, on a separ- ate plate, are placed on the first plate. So Avith the soup. The first i)late is exchanged for the plate with the fish. Always have a stock of plates in re- serve sufficient for all the courses and properly warmed. The most decorated plates are best enjoyed about the time of salad or cheese and at dessert.
It saves the waiter's time to start with at least two each of forks, knives and teaspoons by each plate. It is not bad to have three, One knife should 1)6 of silver, for the fish. Silver knives are, of course, essential for fruit.
Napkins are never supposed to appear a second time without washing. Hence napkin rings are domestic secrets and not for company.