Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-06-13
4 DINNER PARTY.
Suggestions That May Prove Helpful to
 Both tie Hostess and Her Guests.

Suggestions That May Prove Helpful to Both tie Hostess and Her Guests. For dinner party of six or eight peo- pie the hostess arranges her guests in her mind when she plans the entertain ment, and she points out where the sev- eral couples are to seat themselves after all have entered the dining room. While receiving her guests ill the draw ing room she mentions to each gentle man the name of the lady whom he is to take in to rinner as soon as he has paid his respects to herself, and if he is un- acquainted with his partner he is form ally introduced. On reaching the table the guests remain standing by their chairs until the hostess is seated.
 The eldest lady, or she who is q stran ger to most of those present, or she who is most distinguished, goes ill to dinner with the host, he offering her his left arm. If the guest of honor is man, he accompanies the hostess who takes his left arm, this couple entering the din ing room last The host always goes ill first, and he places his dinner partner at his right as do all the other men.
 There has been much dispute in Amer ica regarding the proper arm for man to use when taking a woman into the dining room, but The Delineator, au thority for the following, says that the left is most appropriate. This mode of escorting her allows her to pass i'll front of him, and her costume is thus not ill his way. Spurs were once worn by most men of rank with evening dress and are still used ill this way by army officers, and they are apt to interfere with dra peries that are not properly cared for when one is going to table. The right arm is protfered for the assistance of women, save when they are ill court cir cles or are on their way to the altar.
 When dinner is finished, the hostess bows to the lady at her husbands right, and at this signal all the ladies rise. The hostess partner opens the door or draws back its draperies, or, if neither service is required, he stands beside the doorway until all the ladies have passed out, when he joins the other men at the table for a chat and a smoke unless there is a smoking room.
 If coffee is not served ill the dining room, it should be passed in the draw ing room or parlor after the entire con- pany is again assembled, which should be not more than half an hour after the termination of the dinner. The coffee should be strong and clear, and while some like sugar ill it and few add cream it is usually taken without either as an aid to digestion.
 A small dinner is usually followed by general conversation and perhaps a little music by one or several of the con- pany, and the guests take their depar- ture at 10 o'clock or a little later. Such dinner will be one of the most delight ful of social gatherings if the guests are grouped with discreet regard for their congeniality and each one strives to supply his or her part of the conver- sation and to make others appear to good advantage.
 Failures of the cook, should there be any, must be passed without comment either from the host or from the guests. The hostess must be called upon or a note of thanks written to her within a week after the dinner.