Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-29
A wife HOUSE pINNER.
The Glitter of Glass and the Frsgra nee
OF Flowers in the EaH OF state.

Il Ao 0AAhAoE VI 0htA8H anu tnb nee
OF Flowers in the Esh OF state.
Hester II. Poole in Good housekeeping.
The mahogany table In the State dfnin g
room, 81 feet wide, can be made sufficient
ly long to accommodate So guests, and
half as many more if converted into
double T by end wings. On one memOra-
bic occasion Mrs. Hayes entertained 81
young ladies at luncheon party, great
er number than has ever been seated to-
gether in that room ut any other time.
CHANGING along the table, we find that the
service used at the first ana second courses
is that decorated by Mr.. Davis at the in
stance OF Mrs. Hayes. 1t represents
American scenery, figures, fish, foliage,
fruits and flowers, painted directly from
nature. We are informed that the Havi-
lands, who furnished the set, paid the ar
tist So, 900 for his decorative work, which
was ali they received from the govern
Dlent, though their own outlay was not
less tban $l7,009. AS a compensation
therefor they were allowed TO make dupii-
cate sets Of some portion Of the original,
and sold many dinner services at the rate
of $1,209 for 125 pieces. Besides each
plate were grouped six Bohemian wine
glasses, cut glass tumbler and caRafe,
and 8 champagne glass. The pepper
glass with golden shOvels. Each plate
was covered with the fantastic fOldings
of a damask napkin, the alternate one
containing large eOrsage bouquet, no
two alike. One was a dainty cluster Of
Marshal Neil roses, another OF Bon ST.
lene, another of lilies OF the valley. They
were tied with broad white satin ribbon,
with long streamsTs. One end Of each
was crossed diagOnally with the blue ana
no h.. OF g.,
etching of the White House and grounds e,
with gilt-lettered date Of the day under
meath. A long cOrsage pin with round
gilt head, lay also beside the bouquet
and card bearing the name of the guest
suFmounted by golden eagle and its &C
companying stars. The other alternate
set Of plates held for each gentleman only
a bOutOnniere OF green, with a single
rosebud, and the card with his name by
the side Of a short white satin ribbon,
also bearing the name, and the eagle in
gilt.
Down the centre OF the table extended
a narrow mirror lake with raised side
pieces, bOrdered with smiiax and white
blossoms. Directly in the middle rode
the ship of State at anchors yard long,
formed Of pink and white carnations with
masts and rigging Of smilax. There were
tall stands Of parti-e0iored flowers; four
glass, and high gilt stands covered with
fiower-hlied cOrnueOpias at either end,
quite hiding the view down the length of
the table. Interpreted among the deco
rations were cOnserves, bonb0ns and hot
house fruits, and two trlumphs Of the con-
fectioners art in the shape of fancy
mOulds OF jelly, upbOFne by large swans
and eagles OF white sugar. There were
flowers everywhere. They overlooked the
al rfnnlad 81 hf.s IL
the lines Of the parailelOgram, and made
deep bays of greeRery, islanded with
color, in every window. The con-
servatory, even. flooded the corridor,
where tall palms filed the central niche,
and the brOad-leaved India rubber was
flanked by trees OF azaleas, blushing at
the reflections Of their own loveliness.
The decorations Of these dinners are
usually indicative OF the profession of the
guests. For instance, at the last diplo-
matte dinner, the principal floral Orna-
ment consisted of an immense bah, repre-
senting the globe, formed OF blossoms.
Sea and land, countries and Islands were
made OF different flowers. The whole was
not ess than feet In diameter, and was
suspended from the pillars over the din
ing table. In that given to the justices,
the scales OF justice were formed out OF
red and white carnations with a dove
resting on the beam.
The dinner Of thirteen courses passes
like other dinners among wellbred peo-
pie. Two cOlOred walters stand behind
The President and the lady AZ his right,
aud TWO In corresponding positions on the
other side OF the table. Each waiter has
six persons under his charge. TIE bills OF
fare during the present administration
are not TO be made public. The dinner
occupies about an hour and "A half. At
fsr 81 IaHfaa 10 -
the gentlemen return for the inevitable
post prandial cigar aud informal CONVEX
sation. Even the gods unbend at times
upon Olympus.