Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-20
DINING IN WASHINGTON.
Its Rehnements of Detail Described
by Capitalize Woman.

Its Refnements Of Detail De.crtsed
by Capitalize Woman.
From the New York sun
The ways of the Washington woman are
past finding out. You never know what She
will do. Sometimes she affects a rapt inter-
est in politics. She haunts the galleries at
the Capitol; lunches with the statesmen OF
the family at the restaurant therein; has
favorite bills for which she lobbies. and dis
covers deadly antipathies for other meas
ures. which can be supported only at the
cost of her friendship.
And then, again, she nonchalantly pro-
claims her Indifference to the affairs of
state; thinks ii plebian TO go to the Capitol,
and taboos the discussion of politics In her
presence.
Sometimes she speaks scornfully OF WASH
ington society. and explains with an air of
being bored to DEATH that her enforced
residence there cannot end too quickly TO
SD her. And when you summon your
raost blase and discontented expression to
meet her the next time wfthal, behold, you
learn that Washington is a queen among
cities. and that no other society in the land
can be compared with that OF the city OF
magnificent distances.
In one OF these recent bursts of enthu-
siasm Washington woman expressed ner-
self on dinners as they are given at the ma
tonal capital. Here In Washington" she
declared, probably the most correct tables
In the United States are set, and IL you
would know how your feast should be
spread, pay heed unto the words OF a WASH
hgtonian who has seen many administra,
tons and placed her feet beneath countless
dinner-laden mahoganies''
Then she tells how this a me OF correct
ness ~ to be attained. She begins with the
flowers. She cautions prospective dinner
givers against Overlooking tneir tables with
flowers. especially those whose heavy fra
GRANGE is not pleasant accompaniment to
roast and salad single long -stemmed rose
at the plate of every lady. poutonniere by
the plate of each gentleman, a few careless
ly scattered roses, and, III the decora tons
be high. two tall. siender vases of roses with
ferns of dropping green around the base;
these are all-sufhcient.
Next, she lights the lamp for you: a very
high one in the center and small one at
each end; or. IL you prefer. low candelabra.
The lights are placed on an embroidered
scarf stretched diagonally across the table.
IN stead of. as formerly. from side TO side.
The French fashion OF arranging the dinner
table Is to set IL completely, with the ex-
ception OF such dishes as are brought IN hot,
and ices and salads. The English. ON the
contrary, do not have the fruits, sweets and
been cleared away. The central fruit basket
Is passe. Three or four small dishes scat
tered here and there or half hidden in the
green ferns around the center lamp are
more correct according to Washington ca
mons OF taste.
II you wish TO have a truly capitaline ar
rangement OF the glasses. knives, forks and
so on, attend to these rules. At the right
place medium-sized knife for the entree:
Eext TO that a smaller knife for the roast,
and then somewhat smaller one for the
game. Al the left put an oyster fork: then
the medium-sized one for the entree, the
large one for the roast, and the smaller one
for the game. IL reads like the story of the
three bears Evidently they do not have
make no special provision for serving ana
eating them. The soup spoon should be
placed on the left next the plate. Not more
than four forks are allowable by each plate
on the table at once.
Between the roast and the game a Ro-
man punch is served In the most exQuisitely
bubble-like bits of Carlsbad glass" said tho
washington woman. Saucers and souvenir
spoons accompany the glasses. The little
bread and butter plates. which apparently
still obtain at Washington dinners, are laid
at the beginning and left till dessert 10
served
Now the glasswarev exclaimed IN.
Washington woman. warming TO the work
OF description. cut glass has been and al
ways will be absolutely correct Just ar
present. however II You are the fortunate
possessor of a set of the beautiful and fra
gle Carlsbad ware. you can use that and
be sure that You are right. but with your
cut glass You need have no fear of being
behind me times. The winegiasses should
be an OF the same design and make only
differing in shape and Size
Before the plate of the Washington host
is laid the soup ladie and the carving set
Tor the roast. That TO be used with the
game is brought I'm with that course About
ten minutes before dinner is announced a. in
customary. according TO this chronicler OF
ashington customs. TO have a cocktail OF
sherry and bitters with a caviar sandwich.
served In the drawing room as an appetizer.
This ceremony, however. can be dispensed
with without violating any social law
The ciaret. continued the satisfied mar
rator. lis warmed and the champagne frap-
ped In the bottle"