DINNER PARTIES

2640. We will begin with the invitation, the reply to which you will make at once, for obvious reasons, and address it to the mistress of the house.

2641. If you accept, arrive at the house very punctually, not too late nor too early, both are inconvenient, but the latter irreparable. Get there, therefore, a little before the time, and wait till the precise moment before knocking.

2642. If you arrive by some accident a great deal too late, do not disturb the party by going in; send your card and an apology from some neighboring place.

2643. The host, if attentive, will point out to gentlemen the ladies whom he wishes them to conduct to table--always follow his directions.

2644. If either at dinner or at supper he should offer you the place of honor, never refuse it. To do so, as some do, is to show a pretended modesty; it keeps the rest of the company standing, and is vulgar in the extreme.

2645. The great requisites in the office of host are to be a good carver (if they carve at table), a calm temper, and a wish to place every one perfectly at his ease.

2646. The company should be so arranged that each lady will have some gentleman at her side, to assist her. Of course, it is every gentleman's duty, first of all to see that ladies near him are attended to.

2647. The lady of the house sits at the head of the table, and the gentleman opposite, at the foot. The place of honor for gentlemen, is on each side of the mistress of the house--for ladies, on each side of the master.

2648. When napkins are provided, they are at once carefully unfolded, and laid on the knees.

2649. Observe, if grace is to be said, and keep a proper decorum. If soup is served, take a piece of bread in the left hand, and the spoon in the right, and sip noiselessly from the side of the spoon.

2650. Do not take two plates of the same kind of soup, and never tip up the plate.

2651. When regular courses are served, the next dish is fish. If silver or wide-pronged forks are used, eat with the fork in the right hand--the knife is unnecessary.

2652. If dishes are carved by the servants, they must be taken to a sideboard from the proper position on the table, as they are required.

2653. Take whatever is given you if you intend to eat it; do not offer it to your neighbor, and begin at once to eat. The stiff formality of waiting till, as it were, all have a fair start, is vulgar in the extreme.

2654. Attend to the wants of the lady who sits next to you, but do not watch her plate or use any offensive vulgarism.

2655. The host should never recommend or eulogize any particular dish; his guests will take it for granted that any thing found at his table is excellent.

2656. The host must not relinquish his knife or fork till his guests have finished.

2657. It is not usual to drink wine with any of the company present; if you, however, find it the custom where you dine, adopt it at once. Champagne is drunk between the meats and the dessert.

2658. Never address a servant, nor ever speak _of_ one at dinner.

2659. Should a gentleman send you wine at a public table, or ask the honor of a glass with you, observe when he raises his glass, and do the same, bowing, whether you drink or not.

2660. As a general rule, in helping any one at table, never use a knife when you can use a spoon.

2661. If at dinner you are requested to help any one to sauce, do not pour it over the meat or vegetables, but on one side.

2662. If you should have to carve and help a joint, do not load a person's plate--it is vulgar; also in serving soup, one ladleful to each plate is sufficient.

2663. Eat peas with a dessert spoon, and curry also. Tarts and puddings are to be eaten with a spoon.

2664. After the dinner, a rose-water dish is passed round; dip a corner of your napkin in it, and refresh your mouth and hands. Finger-glasses are not in vogue.

2665. Be careful not to drink too much wine; and join the ladies in the drawing-room as quickly as possible.

2666. Ladies, although allowed a great latitude of dress at dinner-parties, should never be extravagantly fine.