The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-05-02
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY.
Arrangement OF the Order of Precedence Of
Gussts-How Invitations are Made Out.

uo w SSniuStou correspondent OI tne Ste
Louis Globe Democrat says: After the way
society has been convulsed this winter about
the order Of official precedence at White
House entertainments, 1t Is rather astonish-
ing to have Mr.. Snalley state, in his article
on the "White House," in the Century for
April, that no order Of precedence Is OBJ
served at State dinners. The long dining
table In this banqueting room has been
enlarged this year to accommodate fiity-
four PEOPLE, and is now In this shape:
The President occupy
ing seat at the middle
z - Of one Of the curved
sides, and his sister the corresponding seat
facing him, with the guests Of highest off,
cial rank or longest service sitting at the
right and left Of them. A large diagram Of
this table Ia kept by the Assistant Secretary
of the President, with little slit cut In the
paper diagram before each numbered seat.
The names Of the guests are written on slips
Of paper and 1t is one Of the delicate duties
of the Secretary TO plan the seating Of the
company. A gentleman and lady alternate
around the table, and man and bis wife
are always separated by as many seats as the
considerations OF rank will permit. When
the names have all been slipped into their
proper places on the diagram, the Secretary
then makes out the little cards Of destiny,
which are given to each gentleman In an
envelope ~ he arrives on the evening Of the
dinner. The cards have small diagram of
the table, with that seat marked Of which is
to be occupied by the recipient, and the name
of the lady whom he 10 to take out Is written
beneath. No diagram 10 Furnished to the
ladies, and Il Is all matter Of speculation
TO them until the designated escort announces
himself In the parlor. the President and
his sister, accompanied by the two guests of
highest consideration, lead the way TO the
dining room, and the others follow In regu-
larly arranged order. Whena dinner to the
Diplomatic Corps is given the Secretary Of
State is the last to leave the room 5sa' E1o .
Nothing can be prsttier than this long
curved table with its snowy napery, glitter
ing crystal, and beautiful decorations. The
center Of the tsble is always occupied BY .
long fat mirror some two feet wide, on which
rests the large flower pieces or designs. Flo
raj pieces, candslsbra, compotes and fancy
pieces Of confectioners' creations decorate
the rest of the board. The name-cards laid
At each plate are large, gilt edged cards With
the eagle and national coat,of-arms raised In
gold and tina name OF the particular guest
written In very plain, large script. This
tests upon an intricately- folded napkin Of
the heaviest damask, on which the interlac-
Ing letters U. s. are embroidered in red and
white threads. At every ladys plate IL laid
long, fst corsage bouquet, generally COM
posed Of eight or nine large roses and tied
with long satin ribbons. Beside 1t long
pin 10 stuck In the table-cloth TO permit her
to pin on her flowers ~ soon - seated. ALI
Of the table service, that is, the spoons, forks
and small pieces, were plated with gold two
yean ago, and are NOW uniform with
Buchanan's famous set of gold dessert
spoons. The menu ID never furnished to the
guest, but usually fourteen, courses and six
Mines are served, coffee being taken at tho
table. and fancy souvenir favoIs are passed
round 70 The ladies just before the company
rises. At table the President u always
served before his guests, and this Difference
TO his rank Il . survival OF the custom sstab-
lished By Gen. Washington and ever after
observed by his successors. .a.osa. { Sea 81