Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-05
ENGLISH DINNER IDEAS.

Latest Forms of Fashionable Introduction
of Guests-Wines, Coffee and Cordials.
If you would entertain according to the latest
London idea, says the GentletcOD,dn, you will
send out for a dinner an engraved card bearing
the formula: Mr. and Mrs. request the
pleasure of - company at dinner on - at
- O'Clock, with the address in the lower left
hand corner. No X. s. V. P. is used on the
dinner card, for every one knows that dinner
is a solemn occasion. calling for the utmost
punctiliousness in etiquette. The invitation
sent out two weeks before the dinner demands
an immediate answer on account OF allowing
the hostess to invite another guest in case you
decline, and the engagement once made the
same rule holds good that obtains in following
your partners lead in trumps; only sudden
| death releases you.
| 1t will be noticed that the invitation reads
| Mr.. and Mrs. - request the pleasure, &c. In
balls, concerts. everything but a dinner. the
| invitation goes out in the name OF the hostess
| only. The form may be engraved on q card. a
folded sheet. or for small dinners be written on
| the sheet by the hostess or her secretary.
| Unpunctuality is without excuse at dinner,
| and in some London houses the guests go into
the dining room promptly at the hour, whether
| the party is complete or not, and. as q rule at
! such houses there are no deiinquents In Lon
don. too. thanks to the universal use OF cabs,
a woman. even il she keep no carriage OF her
| own, is not supposed to require any prepara-
ton for entering the reception room, and a
maid relieves her Of her wrap in the hall with
out showing her to any room. OF course, the
lady enters the room first. a. the old custom OF
coming in arm-in-arm has quite gone out. IL
the first arrivals are strangers they are intro
duced and the hostess also introduces the gen.
tleman to the lady he Is to take IN TO dinner II
they are strangers. Young ladies are not in
x,ita rod with fbair naran tn formal dlnnerS-
it is usually arranged to have an equal number
of ladies and gentlemen among the guests,
though often a man may be included who has
no one to take in. Following the usual custom
the host. when dinner is announced. leads the
way with the lady guest of honor, the hostess
: coming down last of all with the gentleman OF
. most Importance. If the dinner is large, the
hostess may introduce the gentlemen to thu
ladies they are to take in a short time before
, the announcement. Ii the company is small
she saws simply: MIR. H.. will you take in Mis-
B." and the name cards at the places seat tn
, guests.
Dinner a la Russo is served in London a
. fashionable houses with everything carved OF
the table by servants. Even the soup tureel
; is placed on the sideboard. In the matter o
wines sherry is served after soup. hoch will
oysters. champagne is handed round with tn
, , first entree and may be continued all through
dinner. and placed with other wines before tn
. host when dessert time arrives. Occasionally
: bowl OF rose water is handed round. into whlc
guests dip their fingers, wiping them on thei
| own serviettes.
d When the dessert has been handed round tn
= servants leave the room. and when it is tinishe
!, the hostess must catch the eye OF the lady si'
u ting by the host, and, making a slight inclins
:: ton rises and stands near the door, which on
~ of the gentlemen holds open, until all her CUES
g have passed through Coffee is then served
u the drawing room and may be taken to the dill
l. ing room to the gentlemen. No other refresl
l. ments are served except the fashionable iqueur
l. which are brought round directly after IL
:, coffee. though few ladies take them.
English hospitality provides tray OF wiz
in the hall or room where the wraps are left,
be offered as a stirrup cup when the guests d.
l. part at half-past 10 or H.