The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28

/ dents coat-of-arms. The spoons and
knives and forks are marKcd Democratic
/, ally, Presidents House."
Extra Walters.
/ The decoration of the state dining table
! is always marked by extreme modesty.
| There is no attempt at elaborate display.
| Numerous bouquets of choice roses or or
chids are scattered along the centre and
bouquets and boutonnieres of similar flow
ers placed by the plates of the ladies and
gentlemen. All is so arranged that though
the table presents a vision OF unusual
beauty. there Is no sense Of the oyerpow
ering in decoration. Numerous Candida
bra add to the scene with their soft lights
score of walters are employed TO serve
the dinners. These are readily secured
! in Washington where the walter is at his
best The walters are usually colored men,
though under the Harrison Administration
Steward McKim chose white waiters in
=, preference. This unique departure has not
been followed by his successor The wait
ers are not chosen lightly. There are nu-
merous temptations in their way, both
from the richness OF apparel and jewels OF
the guests and the liquor which an intern
perate man could readily find occasion TO
consume. Only men whose honesty and
sobriety are beyond question are employed.
They are called upon for similar service
from time 10 time and find the employment
pleasant and report at the White House
later in the afternoon of the dinner and
are divided into SQUADS and thoroughly
drilled In the part each is TO play in the
evenings entertainment. The dumb-waiter
at the White House has not the capacity
necessary to carry the dishes from the
kitchen TO the dining-room. six or eight
of the walters are detailed 10 carry the
dishes from the kitchen up the fight of
stairs leading directly TO the butleIs PAN
try. TO return empty dishes TO the lower
floor and hand the portion from the cary
ers TO the waiting line OF servers.
Each waiter is supposed 10 serve four
or five guests. He receives the dishes from
the carveTs so adroitly carved that though
the form of the roast or fowl is preserved,
the guest can readily separate a portion.
He watches closely to the needs of the
guests under his charge. The President
and his wife are served by their personal
servant. The White House dinners are
served ideally, II is said; for the walters
are not mere machines. but men of judg-
ment and action. For their two or three
hours work they are paid 81 or IS. and this
in connection with the natural prestige of
a waiter who serves at the White House,
brings 10 the steward the best assistance
the city affords.
1t is impossible to furnish in detail any
estimate Of the materials and foods used
in the preparation of a state dinner. When
it is considered that only the choicest bits
are served. the supplies purchased for
dinner of seventy must be something ex
traordinary. roast of lamb or fillet of
beef for instance, is served to but four or
five persons and the choicest morsels. only
are eaten. OF fowl. the breast alone is
carved. The same fastidiousness is observ-
ed throughout every course
There are never more than twelve eours
es TO White House dinner. AS usual
thing the courses range in number from
eight to twelve. They are served without
haste, but still in such succession that the
dinner may not seem to drag. An entire |
dinner in this manner Is served within two |
hours. and some of the most noted dinners |
of the last two years have been served in |
even less time. As the dinners always be- |
gin at S o'clock the White House guests |
are not given to late hours.
Official precedence at a state dinner is |
one of the most delicate questions with |
which its managers have to deal. There |
is no one more sensitive than the average |
diplomat. At diplomatic dinner prece-
dence is determined by the Official rank OF 4
the guest and his seniority in point OF |
service in Washington. So well are these /
gradations established that an error |
would be inexcusable. All confusion. how |
ever, is avoided by a custom which coz
veys Enthusiastically 10 each guest the exact |
position he is expected to occupy at the |
table. Before entering the dining-room
each guest is given an envelope enclosing |
a card on which is printed a complete dia-
- - ..l
The name of the lady is also
drawn through the number Of the seat the
guest is TO occupy. The possibility of mis-
take is further obyiated by placing at each
plate another card with the guests's name |
written across it's face.
The seats of least honor are at the ends |
Of the table. The President sits In the |
centre of one of the long sides. The next
seat in honor is directly opposite. At the
diplomatic dinners il has heretofore been |
the custom for this seat to be occupied by
the Presidents wife, who is taken into |
dinner by the British Ambassador, the
next in rank TO the President among the
Diplomatic Corps.
During this Administration, however, the |
nyalidism of Mrs. Mckinley has occa-
sioned a change. The President keeps her
always by his side and Mrs. Mckinley sits |
between the President and the British Am
osssador. The seat opposite is now occu-
Died by Secretary Hay. There are no
casts or speeches.
When the dinner is finished the President
md his wife rise as a signal that the SER
rice is at an end. The ladies pass to the
reception rooms, and the men to the smok-
ng rooms. where coffee liquors, and cigars
are served. The gentlemen pass some |
lime in informal conversation, and then
DIN the ladies in the reception rooms. Here
ga is served. Custom prescribes that none |
81 the guests shall leave until those of the
highest rank have taken leave Of the host
md hostess. Out OF consideration TO the
,.her guests these officials leave immedi-
Itely after tea has been served. The other
quests follow closely, so that the entire
company has left the White House by IL
City Star.
''Reformed" Words.