The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-29


way.
When Manning a dinner Mrs. Astor's
fire, move IL TO send FOR some gentle
man of her Acquaintance. And. as she
always has a dinner In prospective. her
mornings are spent behlhd the irlehdiy
samovar. consulting some one or other
~ her friends about the next feast. Tile
gentlemen selected IL for the evening
the host i'm many ways, ana he occupies
thu seat of honor opposite the hostess
unless some very old or very celebrated
lion is to be shown on AZ the dinner
The gentleman selected goes over the
list OF guests with Mrs. Astor. her nrst
ouestso on Is as to politics. She desires
,hoee OF the same political hue, 10 make
the dinner harmonious. and then those OF
tho same tastes. When she entertains
rba,.nc.v Depew. who Is a Nvorite din
ner guest with her. she selects persons
who are fond Of travel or foreigners suie
mar other countries will form a pleasant
field FOR discussion.
orr~gs HsHMoNfors.
cho,,ld the dinner be for literary and
ortis,ic folk her request 10 call Is sent
IN a gentleman OF literary or artistic
taste. II desire to invite so-and-So. and
so-aud-so" she says, handing lam
partial list Of folk.
- would MOI ask So-and-So." advises
.to c,reful mentor "He is busy now
,,,itins, a new opera. He would disike
"a decline. and yet would much prefer az
.,.,,,i4 Won to dine later, when he VIII
entertain YOU with tie newest rir5 u his
o,.r. and so make IL interesting Tor the
evening" -. ,,.t.,, -.
"How pleased I an TO know mis- re-
ms the model hostess, ma stra-sntway
selects a new narc Tor lhe vacant seat.
cerfotn Young western composer OF
opera has often been guest al THESE
artistc dinners. - .. 81
,,.or,s confidential adviser regarding
-, .e,,opious dinners. though great zeal
-, f,.st,,. visited between them. MeAliis-
60 no. Jealous OF Mrs Astors vine,
a,1 Ms Asfor resented the way De had
Of following up her dim rs WIN larger
- ,,,,.,.. elaborate 1nes on her own Lines.
I'm, the two worked together I'D )ne l"iNs
20 entertain society.
u-bo, the matter Of guests has peen
eeffled the chef is called. he oNtf"o''--
"a dien'tary, has been inf'uths new
dishes and new menu, rms l' uh-
-, a.. vet " he says. taking Ou- an
elaborate menu from MS poeh'l anu u'
,.rfi,in0 "a now creation OF culinary arr
4. or. of the dinners ,he creation was
n CON, made from the juice of small BIRDS
..,,,,o.,od lucaol,ed through ores'. rms
az. WAS Afterwards hglly seasoned,
.oopad nv speciai process, 80 that tne
Giro ala NOT touch #. and served hot ana
fragrant. Its color was clear red
anr n'nFrrRIss.
,-be artistic director Of the establish
,,or. ss next consulted. This per-onag
I'm Mrs Astor's household rs a woman
ebo Is n tall young girl Of Greek par
rntaeo. and az beautiful as she is ar'ia-
~yv,.b tine brown OF the soup there
hor,id bs the blue soup service, she
saws. consulting the menu LETT for ner
"SUver fish," she decides sho"id T.,
served upon the silver-hsn plates an"
matters. and the fish should appear "i
FUN beauty AZ the table. Noln..s D''
the roast 20 served upon the boi" gee
that solid priceless service tnat cost eve"
more lalor than money
And ca through the dinner. kacn course
=, accordance with the prevailing style.
goes upon a separate SET OF u-7i''' ""'
each is picture in itself
r-o, De-. dinner parties Mrs. Aston dress
90 ir black velvet always Ana wonder
fnl hlarf velvet gowns she has. \ nIln
io'd one over a chair. supporting its folds
Tor "a certain paltry scr'boler TO SEQ, anu
tho writing woman easpei Tor WeehS ]"
memory of it's elegance The waist wa
incruetod with tiny diamonds. Ihey ne
long 10 Mrs. Ast0rs unset collection am
are pierced. They are sewn ON me VolFel
like beads. and the sparkle. as they cover
the entire bodice. is greater than tongue
can describe .
Anofhar OF ~ many velvet gowns -r
nlafn. one magnificent sweep or glowing
velvet. But over &c Is clasped the won
lorful stomachor that cost >N'"l' anu
levels are hung from shoulder ana h'ch.
80 statciier sight was ever seen thah tni@
American hostess when she welcomes "et
Guests ar the dinner hour.
Tho Aston dinner IS al"ats twelve
courses long: often twenty 10 is the
only long dinner is az rc.sed in society
All others having yielded TO the modern
fiea Of seven-course feasts. but Mrs.
Astor rfcfsrs the sOc'ahilHy of her mahot-
any to the gaiety OF the draWins-r'"hl'
Whom young guests are invited the snort
or dinner is ordered. but for veterans OF
aocietv there o. The FUN, magniic.'i
fventv-course service. Al those six dln-
ners She gave m Firth avenue To say
farewell 20 her ola home before 10 was
torn down frr the erection Or great