The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-10-05
Ny Dear Louise:

DOHOr Oh your Irlenu, MOllle, VINO IS
to return shortly from years
study in Munich, and you are not quite
sure of yourself. Well, do not worry,
and remember that a cordial greeting
and pleasant words are as important
as well cooked and daintily served food
In the first place. have your invita-
tions out two weeks before the affair is
to come off A good form is a double
sheet note of unfinished paper, en-
graved as follows:
Mr.. and Mrs. James Livingstone
request the pleasure of
Miss Grave Mathews
company at dinner
Wednesday, Oct. IA,
at Z o'clock,
To meet Miss Mollie Jarvis.
Now there is the form for your invi-
tation, and be careful not to invite too
many people az is a good number), and
be more than careful that they are con-
genial spirits, and then the two hours at
dinner will pass quickly and pleasantly,
Put your brightest GDnversationalist
near the quietest one, and then there
will not be brilliant chat at one end Of
the table and absolute quiet at the other.
take in your friend Mollie, who is to sit
at his right hand; the other guests will
follow after, and you must go in last
with Mollie's father, who is to sit at
your right hand.
Now as there is to be IAN informal
little dinner party" do not try to make
it too pretentious. Have the decorations
simple, and as Mollie's favorite flower
is the lily why not use sprays of that
exquisite blossom with ferns? Do not
have the napkins and tablecloth
starched; have them soft and fine. l
am sure you do not want too elaborate a
dinner course, for you are still bride,
and have had but little experience in
caring for guests. l th.h this one will
be enjoyed by your guests:
oysters on the shell.
Tomato soup with croutons.
Black bass. Hollandaise sauce.
Dreamed sweetbreads.
Filet of beef
Vegetables.
Lettuce and chicory salad.
Lemon sherbet. Strawberry ice cream.
Cheese. Crackers.
Black coffee.
Nuts and raisins.
In serving the salad prepare 1t at the
table, making the French dressing of
vinegar olive oil, salt and pepper. Have
the lettuce and chicory thoroughly
chilled and dried between napkins; use
only the small white leaves, and do not
break them. Have several kinds of
cheese, mild one and a strong one;
serve your coffee in small cups (black
coffee, and have plenty of nut crackers
at hand.
If you get the right subject introduced
you will be sure to have a delightful
dinner party, but on no account allow
the conversation to drift to religion or
politics-two subjects which will cause
more i'll feeling than all others that you
can think of, probably because we all
feel so strongly on these questions. Let
two men begin to discuss the political
situation, or two women get into the
mysteries of church doctrine, and you
might as well retire from the table, Try
to lead the conversation into pleasant,
bright ways; speak Of the latest book,
where some noted traveller has gone
the newest invention, the popular opera,
the beauties of the summer trip, any
thing but the two forbidden topics.
/ wish you would write to me and tell
me how your arst dinner party came off.
Keep bright and CHEEKY yourself and
success awaits you. Yours sincerely,
Comfort Jones,
Doctor of Cookery.