“GRAND DINNERINGS"

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 287, 31 August 1935, Page 20

“GRAND DINNERINGS"

London Hostesses Revive the Dinner Party For centuries London was famed for its dinner parties, until modern customs brought about a decline in the art of dining. Now a distinguished band of hosts and hostesses have set themselves to revive the “grand .dlnnerings of the London season,” of which the eighteenth century novelist, Samuel Richardson, wrote. Lord and Lady Strathcona are evolving, with the help of a committee, the perfect English dinner party code of the day. Their ideas are to be carried out on November 5, at a dinner-ball at the

Dorchester. Here are some of them:— The pre-dlnner reception should be revived. The Ideal dining hour is nine o’clock. The number of people to dine at one table should, if possible, be 8, 10 or 12. Dinner tables should be large enough to make possible an attractive display of china and glass. One of the old-time ideas that these modern hosts and hostesses have rejected is that of going in to a dinner party arm-in-arm. They attach great importance, however, to the revival of the reception. At this “Dlnner-at-Nine” function on November 5 Lord and Lady Strathcona will take up their stand at 8.30 and receive for half an hour. A feature will be made of the use of beautiful British china and cut glass. Among the plans for decorating the tables is that of having an exquisite service plate in each place. This will remain on the table throughout the meal. Another sign of‘the revival of the ant of dining is the wave of festival dinners which promises to be a feature of the “Little Season.” For years this type of function has been unpopular with Mayfair hostesses. During the holidays, however, they intend to think out ideas for brightening the festival dinner.—From the “Manchester Guardian.”

Tht report of the VVaitaki High School Old Boys* Association dance appears elsewhere in this issue.