The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-13

place The result Is the accumulation of
many sets of choicest china, each a val
liable souvenir OF the makers art during
that period and fully adequate for the
greatest dinner that can be given. One
of the services used to-day was designed
and ordered by Mrs. Lincoln; another by
Mrs. Grant Mrs Hayes and Mrs. Harri-
son both left behind sets that were the
admiration of their time, minutely des-
cribed in all the newspapers. Mrs. Cleve-
land contributed two exceedingly beautt-
full services; and another will mark Mrs.
McKinley's regime. The size OF these
services may be inferred when II IL known
that one of Mrs. Cleveland's consists OF
thirty dozen dishes. This particular set by
the way is considered the most beautiful
in tho White House collection. Around the
fsnge of the plates is broad band or
rich red, and the United States coat OF
arms in gold appears in the center or
each piece. Next 10 these in favor are
Mrs Hayes exquisitely hand-painted
plates-fish, fruits and flowers all por-
trayed by master-artists. The White
House has no gold and silver dishes, like
the British legation and the tables of
many of our ulti-millionaires; but per-
haps its Republican simplicity is in as
good taste. The glasses are the finest and
thinnest, simply cut with the Presidents
coat of arms. The spoons, knives and forks
are all rather queerly marked Presidents
House."
The decorations of the state dining-room
are seldom very elaborate, for the reason
that there is not room enough for much dis
play. Numerous bouquets of choice roses
or orchids are usually scattered along the
center, with silver eandie-stick5 and fancy
bon-bon dishes between, while bouton-
nieres and corsage knots of similar flow
ers are placed beside the plates of the la
dies and gentlemen. All Is so arranged that
though the table presents vision OF rar-
est beauty, 1t Is never over-crowded or
overdone For a big dinner, score of
extra walters are employed TO serve. These
are readily secured in Washington, where
among our 5000 colored population, the
waiter is at his best Only under ire
Harrison administration have white walt
ers been employed. Naturally, this unique
departure on the part Of Steward Mckim.
who was himself a white man, hes not
been followed by his colorod successor. As
may be Imagined, II REQUIRES no small dis
erection and Judgment Of character 10 choose
these walters rightly There are nuner-
GUS temptations In the way, not only In
the rich apparel and Jewels OF the guests,
the solid silver and innumerable articles OF
value to which they have access, but in the
wines and liquors which may be surrept-
tiously consumed. Only men are employ
ed whose honestly and sobriety can oe
youched for beyond question; end when
ever possible the same are called UPON Tor
similar service from time 10 time through
ont the season. They report for duty late
In the afternoon and are divided into
SQUADS and thoroughly drilled in the part
each has to play in the evening entertntn-
ment The dumb-waiter of the White
House has not the capacity necessary 70
carry the dishes from the kitchen TO din
n al nx.tnr NFafsF n re AZ
tailed 10 bring them up the fight OF stairs
TO the buffers pantry; 10 return the emp
ty dishes to the lower regions, and to hand
the portion from the carvers to the wait
ing line OF servers Each walter Is sup
posed to serve four guests. So expert are
the carvers that though the form of the
roast or fowl is faultlessly preserved, each
person served can readily seperate a per-
ton. 1t is unnecessary to add that the
White House walters are Ideally perfect In
their line, and for the two or three hours
work OF a dinner, each receives 80, BESIDES
the prestige which such service naturally
brings. The President and Ids wife are
waited upon by their own personal SER
want; and were royalty present at the
board, etiquette demands that the Prest-
dent OF the United States be served before
anybody else at his own table.
The courses OF White House dinner
range from eight to twelve; and though
they are served without haste, one fol-
lows the other so closely that the most
elaborate dinner (Which always begins al
s o'clock may be concluded in two hours.
Ofhcial precedence at a state dinner Is
q matter of paramount Importance, as
we'll as one Of the most delicate questions
with which Its managers have to deal,
for 20 make any mistake about It would
be absolutely inexcusable. There is no
creature on earth more sensitive than The
average diplomat. Ia what he considers
the honor due to his rank-unless II may
be some Of the ladies of our own official
circles, who consider II cause for war
II obliged to walk IN to c'nner behind
a hated rival However. all the fine
gradations Of official precedence are so
well defined in Washington that there is