Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-05
misrfIlantnns.
Dining at the White House.
ETIQUETTE, FoRMALI1IEs AND DECORATIONS
OF STATE DINNER AT THE EXECUTIVE
MANSION.

| VI ciAfk DiSSLh Al Ah6 A~AINSAA'A
| MANSION.
| The amenities of the table are justly con-
sidered an important part of social life. The
J animal feeds, man eats. The first satisfies
| hunger hastily and coarsely, the latter sur
round. the board with all that minister to the
aesthetic sensibilities. As refinement increas-
es, the accessories become more choice and
varied. Spotless napery, sparkling crystal,
beautiful porcelain and silver, delight the
eve, and the cooking and serving of food are
| in themselves fine art. As it might be ex-
pected that a dinner at the White House
would show the best table etiquette of the Pc
Rod, we briefly review the formalities of such
an occasion. During the winter session of
| Congress the President gives series of for
NAL dinners. beginning about the middle of
January week before the fret one of this
season, invitations were extended to the sec
retaries of the Cabinet, the Vice-Presideut,
| the Speaker of the House, the Lieutenant
| General of the army. the Admiral of the ma
Wy, an ex-secretary. two venerable senators,
together with few gentlemen from other
cities. eminent for long political or civic ser
vices. The invitations of course included the
wives of these gentlemen, and are in the ma
| ture of commands, which must not be de-
clined except in cases of unavoidable necessl-
/ ty. The French chef of the White House has
many consultations with the principal Off
Gals, the bill Of fare is made out, extra ser
vice engaged. and the excitement of prepara-
ton penetrates the entire mansion. Such
occasions do not take care of themselves like
the processes Of nature and there is more re-
sponsibility devolving upon the house ser
wants than there WAS during the ADMINISTERS
ton Of Mr.. Hayes. when a caterer was en-
ploved 10 prepare everything, using onlv the
table service of the White House.
While the last preparations ere going On.
we will take the liberty of rendering ourselves
invisible and Asmodeus like look in upon
the Executive Mansion in which all Ameri-
cans must take interest and pride
At the foot of the stairs door on the left
or north side. leads into the Presidents pr-
vate dining reom The walls of this room
are hung with heavy paper, initiating leather,
a gilt ground with vines of shaded olive and
crimson. and a frieze thirty inches deep. of
dark terra-cotta stamped velvet, with gilt
molding. The ceiling is greenish gray. The
white m rble chimney piece and mantel are
draped with crimson plush, and the same
fabric covers the frame of the large plate
glass mantel-mirror above. The Administer
carpet of darkgreen is well covered with
figures in shaded olive and crimson. The
mahogany chairs have dark green leather on
the seats with backs of wood The wood
work of the room is painted light tint of the
walls The finest features of the room are
two large carved mahogany sideboards. one
on the west side of the room, the other on the
south. The one on the right is fine sneci
men of Cincinnati carving and dates from the
administration of Mr. HAYES: the other was
procured when the entire room WAS furnished
anew under the direction of Mr.. Artbpr
Both are ladened with plate and fine snec;
mems of the ceramic art. All the movable
furniture and Mate of these rooms sre u,der
the care of the steward. who ia reouired to
give bonds to the value of 500 600 before on
tering upon his duties.
Returning to the corridor we find tho cor.
wants busilv engaged in 3, ttino the table of
the state DINING room ipto which ,,yo doors
Give entrance one at a;,bar ex,romotv T.,
measures forty feet from cast to wast and
thirty from north 70 south and 10 plo;rI, don-
GRATED and contains only the necessorv G;n;ro
room furniture During the adm;r;s,rot;on
of President Artbnr and in oocordanna r;th
his taste. the walls which bad formarl, haon
paneled were na;nted tan ~
Iight leather color with f.;oaa
tbroo Goo, damn - rL. ~
or;msor ord cola m colin;
III. lin Three la,ua ;,Jo,. ,I;
snuth over the intervening gardens the pntn,
moo and Tho monument 40 49, Wy Il,';
nae, mo ,ho corsarvotor, ho,., ,..'''' - :
c,do nrrtoins win loonn5 ar"no. $3.50 , o.n'
'''' ''''''''T '''' ''NP'' Hi"p'iD aub ih'ii-