ETIQUETTE OF A WHITE HOUSE DINNER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8965, 16 April 1890, Page 7

ETIQUETTE OF A WHITE HOUSE DINNER.

The arrangement of the table is with floral decoration on the plateau in the centre with confections and cakes and ornamental pieces. At each place are the glasses or water and four or five wines, three forks and knives and napkins and a caraffe with iced water. Upon the latter rests the plate card, upon which is written the name o' the person to occupy that place at the State dining board. The usual hour for a state dinner is 8 p.m. Aa the guests arrive, which should be fifteen minutes before the hour set, they are shown to the rooms for the removal of wrappings and descend by the private stairway to the grand corridor and proceed direct to the East Room, where the President and wife await them. Each gentleman upon entering the room ia banded by an usher a small envelope containing a card inscribed with the plan of the table and bearing the name of the lady he will escort. On the diagram the number of the seats ho and the lady will occupy are marked. After being received by the Preaident and wife he examines the cards and immediately joins the lady whom he will accompany to the state dining-hall. His own lady remains with him until her escort appears. All the guests having arrived, at the appointed hour the steward announces that the dinner is in readiness. The President, with his first lady guest, leads the way to the state dining-room, followed by the remaining guests. The presiding lady, escorted by the principal gentleman, closes the line. The Marine Band meanwhile performs a suitable march. In the dining-room the guests find their places and take the seats assigned to them by the plate cards, which correspond in location with the diagram handed them upon entering the East Room. There are four services at all state dinners. The dishes, in their order, are served on silver platters by waiters, the guests helping themselves. The chief waiter serves the President first and then proceeds toward the right and the second waiter toward the left. The same course is observed on the opposite side of the table, beginning with the presiding lady. No one is ever served twice. The plates of one course are removed as soon as each guest is finished and the plate for the next is put in its place. At the close of the dinner, which lasts about three hour?, it has been the custom of late years for the gentlemen to leave the table with the ladies and not return. The custom during the earlier administrations was for the ladies to have their ooffee served in the drawing-room and for the gentlemen to return to drink a single glass of wine to the health of the President. Gentlemen wishing to enjoy a cigar retire during the coffee to the corridor at the foot of the private stairwayi but join the ladies when the presiding lady makes the motion to retire. After one promenade through the suite of parlours the gentlemen surrender their ladies to the gentlemen with whom they came, and with their own ladies take leave of the President and his lady. They should receive their wrappings and leave the building quietly and promptly. The last of the guests should have retired within thirty minutes after leaving the table.