Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-20
AT THE DINNER TABLE.
The QueenIy Bearing of the Ideal
Hostess and How to
Gnin

a woman may pride herself upon the
graceful manner in which she preSidss at
her club in an official capacity, and her
friends may be warm in their commendI-
ton of her executive ability and her
gracious manner. and her polite manage
ment of "womanly squabbles'' may win
her legions of friends. vet in none of these
relations are her strength of character and
her queenly bearing and woTanly instinct
ard highest charms 80 thoroughly tested
or her weakness so easily revealed or Un-
yelled as when presiding at her dining
table. says the St. Louis Globe-DeUAVs...
Every detail Of her table accessories ana
all food served must he under the strict
est surveillance. but without fussiness or
consciousness OF her vigilance on the part
of her guests. as the manifest watchful-
ness is even more embarrassing and an
noyiHg than careless neglect. y guest
feels under compliment To a hostess for
Cwho is always in the stew. but never
gets done to please and entertain gives
the entertained one the opinion that he or
she has committed some act that does not
fully receive the sanction OF her who pre-
sides at the table.
The best guide for ones department is
10 remember the guest. with all her charms
or Idlosyncrasies; and use ones good. COM
mon sense and the best established usaces-
al of which must be subservient to Il kind
heart. Never forget that your guest Is
at Your mercy. ard is such either by Your
uLfect invitation or Your sanction. and is.
IhereIore. entitled to your greatest con-
- Nt 1SAAAN ~ ~
ins sacrifices on your part.
Don | conIure up new and groteSpue ways
IN which to set the table. but use the one
which the best usage has prescribed, and
is in good taste.
y plate should be set right side up at
each place Beside the plate. on the LETT.
sAouid be two forks. one for the meat
course and one for the dessert. On the
right CT the plate should be two spoons
spoon Is placed next the knives. then IL
teaspoon for the coffee. tEen still another
spoon or pointed orange spoon for the
sauce or orange. which are row eaten l.
ia oyster. "on the half she'll" The tines
of the forks should turn upward: the sharp
edge OF the knife should turn toward the
plate. and the bowls of the spoons should
be upward These may be regarded as
minor matters but good form requires
that We conform to established customs.
Bread and butter plates occupy a place
TO tire right OF the dinner plates and the
krife. after once being used, is left Cn
the bread plate.
Descriptions of elaborate spreads are not
OF value to the houSekeeper in general. as
every woman who enIertainS in maSnin-
cence delegates this work to one who is
EXPERT in catering. Such spreads are not
the most enjoyable. for they are usually
Lost in bigneSs and style: but these de-
HShtful honey affairs where the pres
erce of a gracious hostess dispenseS ner
Inequalities to a select few is when the
table manners and grace of department.
cannot he acquired when these are used
ENTHUSIASTICALLY Every Gay usage is
the only safeguard. Every mother who
values the social position of her children
Will not say. good enough for home life