The sun., 1893-04-30
ENGLISH DINEER IDEdS.

Latest Forms or FashiOn-The Introductioa
Orssuests-Wines, Coneo, and Coroini-.
Ifyou would entertain according to tho latest
London idea- says the GenHe'roman. you will
send out for dinner an engraved card bear
ing the formula: MI, and Mrs. - request the
pleasure OF - company at dinner on at
- o'clock. with the address in the lower left
hand corner No r. s. " T. is used on the
dinner card. FOR every one knows that a dinner
is a solemn occasion. calling for the utmos.
punctiliousness in etiquette. The invitation
sent out two weeks before the dinner de-
mands an immediate answer on account Of
allowing the hostess to invite another Gue-t
In case you decline. and the engagement once
made the same rule holds good that obtains
In following your partners lead in trumIs;
only sudden death releases you.
1t will be noticed that the invitation reads
Mr. and Mrs. - request the pleasure. &c. In
balls. concerts ever ything but dinner. the
inyitati1n goes out in the name Of the hostess
only. The form may be engraved on u card. u
folded sheet. or for small dinners lie written
on the sheer. by tine hostess or her secretary.
Unpunctualityis Is without excuse NJ n dinGor.
and IN some London houses the guests 90 into
ne dining room promptly at the hour, whether
the party is complete or not, and. as a rule, At
such houses there are no delinInents. IN Lon
woman. even II she keep no carriage OF her
own. Is not supposed to rermre any rrcpara
maid relieves her Of her wrap in the hall with.
out showing her to any room OF cHur.c tho
lady enters the room first. as the old custom
q coming In m;in-arm has quite gor" ont
II mo first arrivals are strangers they ara IN.
troducad. and he hostess also intro 'uces lhs
gentleman to the lady he is to take IL To d.u.
ner y they are strangers. Young ladies Grr
not invited with their parents to iorma! din.
ners. and 1t Is usually arranged TO have an
equal Der OF ladies and gentlemen anon.
the guests. though often a man may bc ln-
Guided who has no ono to take in. f"l"wtr&
tho usual custom. the host. when dinner /,
Announceh. leads tho way with th" lazy gursi
ot honor. the hostess coming down last aI,
WIN the gentleman OF mos, lmi"ranc" "
the dinner Is large. tho hOs:ess MAY .ntroGn"c
short time before the announcements t.-
company Is small. she says simply hr i
VIII You take in Miss II? ami 'h" naAo c"td-
at the places seat the guests.
Dinner g /, R"Ss" i" served IN London At
fashionable houses with crerything carved
on the table by servant LNcp 'hc snul ~
ter OF wines. sherry is served after soup. hoch
with oysters, champagne is handed round
with the first entr',, and may 70 continued all
through dinner, ard PLACED with Other wlnnS
caaionaliy'a "A howl OF rose watcr j, landed
round. into which guests dip their fingers.
wiIing them on their own seryiettrs -.
tho servants icave the room. and Nh"n 1t is
finished In, hostess must catch the eye OF
the lady sitting by the host. and making a
sh o. T.s ahf s%"f os s"G opnn sae
fee is then served in the drawing N, and
may bo taKen TO the dining room L. TIE gen
cept the fashionable liIururs, which are
brought round directly after lie coffee. though
few ladies take them.
English, hospitality provides u tray q wine
dsSs as ss hall 'jSP OP IL ifI' "A'n 'A'