Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-18
COMFORTS or PERFECT SERVICE.
The Last OF Miss Parloa's Lectures
Before the New York y. W. {. A.

(NeW Ofk IIlEuHel
Miss Parloa's closing lecture at the
Y. W. c. A. was full Of interest and in
struction to the housekeeper who realizes
the Importance of careful table service
the proper care Of china, glass, silver, ana
stcel No amount OF lavishness III iood
can compensate. according 10 Miss Parloa,
for imperfect service.
Among the certain definite rules laid
down for all houses, simple or elegant
is that the dining-room 10 be at us pest
! should be well lighted and Thoroughly
ventilated: the chairs comfortable, with
backs almost straight, and the tapie
broad. 4 thick silence cloth Of flannel
or cotton flannel should be placed under
the tablecloth. to give body TO ii and TO
| deaden the sound. The table linen should
be as fine as the purse allows. POOR
| sleazy damask never looks well ana does
| not paw while good table linen always
| looks well, even if neatly darned. Great
stress was laid by Miss Parloa on the
Importance of having table always
dainty and well appointed, whether guests
are present or not.
In setting the table the cloth must be
put on perfectly true and even. Knives
and spoons should be placed at right,
forks at left. having the hanFes just
reaching the edge OF the table, the knife
with the sharp edge in. and the FORK
! turned down Tumblers should be
placed at the right and al the point OF
the knife The napkins. II fresh can
be placed In the plate, or at one side
individual butter or bread plates at
left. Miss Parloa prefers al service
+ save the pouring of the water, at the
| left; II is less likely to interfere with
! the comfort OF the person served. Ser
! cFo no poiealare Largo dishes
| like platters, should be carried in the
| hand i'm passing. small dishes on the
! tray Mss Paroa prefers carving done
/ at the table, and advises all women to
make the art their own. Promptness,
! in service, is also important, as well as
| the dctum to see that hot dishes are not
! and cold dishes cold. Regarding the
! care of silver. the opinion was given THAI
! If thoroughly washed in hot suds and
| rubbed dry with soft clean towels each
! time it was used. a general cleaning
/ once month world be quite sufficient
/ When the time for cleaning arrives. wash
/ the silver first in hot suds. and wipe. that
no suspicion of oil be left TO interfere
/ with the cleaning. Cover a table or
! a large tray with thick papers. Have
| fine French whiting which has been
siftcd, ard put a portion in saucer.
mostened with diluted alcohol, or house
! hold ammonia, ALLOWING one laDleopoOh-
! fF of the alcohol. or half q tablespoon
/ ful Of ammonia to four of water Wet
soft cloth with the mixture and rub
on silver. Spread on paner 10 dry
until all are cleaned, when the whiting
may be rubbed off with a clean cloth.
The final polishing should be done with
q chamois. A soft brush is required for
chased work. II silver furnishes very
quickly. it is prima facie evidence that
there are gases i'm the house. and gas
and drain-plpes should be at once in
spected The old custom OF keeping
silver. when not in use. i'm flannel bags
Is now condemned on account OF the
sulphur used in the manufacture OF the
| flannel Bags of Canton flannel. for
large pieces OF silver, rs well a. com
| partment bags for each knife or fork.
Will be found invaluable.
! Ivory-handled knifes require special
care. the handles being never allowed 10
80 in the hishpan. When washing. the
, handles should be held in the dry left
hand. while the right washes the blades.
Spots can be removed, and polished re-
stored TO ivory handles by powdered
pumice-stone and water, II accompanied
by exceedingly vigorous rubbing.