The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-10
Tic State DIunor.

Tho table in the State dining room iu
the White House will seat, by close
crowdlpg, thirty six people. This, then,
Is the number invited, and usually there
arc not less than thnty on these occas-
ions. Where it is convenient to do so,
as many ladies as gentlemen arc invited,
though at diplomatic dinners, when all
the foreign Ministers here are to be
present, it is found impossible to seat
as many at the table as this plan would
require, so that the rule is not always
followed. The table is usually very
handsomely ornamentcd with flowers, a
huge floral design OF some sort appear
ing as center piece, and smaller ones
near the ends. Two large golden can.
delabra, or branching candlesticks,
holding perhaps dozen candles apiece
occupy places on the table, ono ut eli.
thcr end OF the floral cenrepiece. These
contain the finest Of wax candles. which
are lighted just before the dinner be-
gins. Near the ends of the table are
smaller candclabra, with perhaps half
dozen candles apiece, each having
little pink lined shade at the top sup
ported ha a silver rod which clasps the
candle near the bottom. The plates
are plnced "rght side up with care"
about thirty inches apart around the
table. On each plate the napkin is laid,
and Oh the napkin a bouquet, for the
ladies fiat corsage bouquet of rose
buds and sometimes lilies of the valley;
for the gentlemen usually single half
opened rose bud. Besides these is laid
name Of the person who is to sit at this
r,1n hn of @.,1l A.
occasions, Is not at the end, but IN the
middle. The seat occupied by tho
President is half way up the side of the
table, at the side next the door ut which
the guests enter. The lady whom he
escorts to dinner sits a. his right and
the honored guest on the occasion sits
directly opposite the President, with
his lady on his right Those who ar
range the table and the order in which
the guests sit, OF course arrange so that
gentleman and wife do not sit side by
side under any circumstances.
When the arrangement for sea ting is
completed, and each person has been
assigned to his place, card is prepared
for ench gentleman and placed in an en-
velope bearing his name. On one side
Of this card is plan Of tho table with
each seat numbered. On the other side
is the name of the lady whom he is to
escort to the table and the numbers OF
the seats they are to occupy. These
envelopes arc handed to the gentlemen
as they enter by gcntlemanly usher
named Allen, and rs soon rs the gentle
man has. ''shed" his outer garments he
examines his caro-, curses or blesses the
fates which have consigned him to m
uncongenial partner fer tho evening,
and hies him to tho East Room, when,
after paying his respects to the Presi-
don't, he hunts up his lady and prepares
for the evening, Meantime, the famous
Marine Band has taken it's place in the
vestibule, After o half hour spent in
| conversation in the East Room, the
President gives the signal to an attend
ant, who passes 1t on to tho band, which
strikes up some appropriate selection.
and the President, giving his right arm
to tho lady whom he is to escort to din
ner, leads the way to the diniDg-room.
The others follow, each gentleman Civ.
ing his arm. to tho lady designated by
his card. Tho President usually takes
to the table the wife of the Secretary
OF State. Tho promenade down tho
long hall to tho dining.room is very
slow, and is a striking and beautiful
spectacle. The ladies, of course, are
in evening costume, tho handsomest
that money and ingenuity can provide,
and the gentlemen in dress suits,
the lights brilliant, tho hall lined with
flowers and tropical plants, and the
music entrancing. Arriving at the
table, the guests afo seated in their or
der, and the dinner, which is usually in
twelve or fourteen courses, with half
dozen different wines, occupies fully
three hours, and, it may be added, is
good.
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