classes in London is novv' so universally established by custom at eight o'clock, that it is vain to attempt to secure the attendance of a party at an earlier time ; but it is of great importance to establish, if possible, a reputation for punctuality, and not to wait a moment after all the ladies have arrived. The next step is the classification of the guests, which ought to be done by the lady of the house, when the signal of departure is given. But it is not unusual for the master of the house to make his arrangements somewhat earlier, having the names written down on paper. This is not done, however, in the best society, and should be done from memory viva voce^ if at all. When persons of any distinct social rank are present, their precedence must be carefully observed. Nothing affronts people more than to find that their precedence is not recognised or understood. But it is the precedence of the ladies which regulates the order of the dinner. A commoner who takes down a lady of rank takes pre- cedence of a man of rank above his own. The master of the house, of course, takes out the lady of highest rank and goes first, because she has precedence of everyone else. The gentleman of highest rank re- mains to the last and hands down the lady of the house. The intermediate couples are arranged ac- cording to their rank, or, if there be no question of rank, according to age and fitness. The two or more men who are unattached follow in the rear. This being arranged, the company take their places ; and on this again much of the success of a dinner depends. It is essential that everyone should PLACING GUESTS. 7 be seated next to persons agreeable to himself. A fashion now generally prevails, even in good houses, of writing the names of the guests on cards, or on the back of the ine?iu, at the places to be occupied by each of them, by which means the plan of the dinner is pre-arranged. As, however, the master of the house precedes his guests and takes his place first at table, it is equally effective, and more graceful, if he requests each couple to take a given seat as they enter the. dining-room. In a large party the system of cards is unavoidable, but it occasions confusion from people in search of their seats, like children playing-hunt-the slipper. When the party consists of persons not previously known to each other, or where a stranger is present, half the time which ought to be devoted to eating and conversation is frequently spent in vain efforts to dis- cover the name, character, and connexions of one's neighbours, and sometimes one m.ay be betrayed by this ignorance into making inappropriate remarks which are embarrassing to both parties. This should as far as possible be avoided by a timely explanatory remark from the host, which puts the guests at their ease by making them better known to one another, and gives, as it were, the cue to conversation. The shape, size, and arrangement of the dinner- table are not matters of indifference. For a party not exceeding twelve a round table has some advantages, especially if the dining-room is broad or square. But a very large round table is a mistake, as it is im- possible to talk across it and it is difficult to cover so large a space with appropriate decorations. As no 8 SEATS AT TABLE.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

classes in London is novv' so universally established by custom at eight o'clock, that it is vain to attempt to secure the attendance of a party at an earlier time ; but it is of great importance to establish, if possible, a reputation for punctuality, and not to wait a moment after all the ladies have arrived. The next step is the classification of the guests, which ought to be done by the lady of the house, when the signal of departure is given. But it is not unusual for the master of the house to make his arrangements somewhat earlier, having the names written down on paper. This is not done, however, in the best society, and should be done from memory viva voce, if at all. When persons of any distinct social rank are present, their precedence must be carefully observed. Nothing affronts people more than to find that their precedence is not recognised or understood. But it is the precedence of the ladies which regulates the order of the dinner. A commoner who takes down a lady of rank takes precedence of a man of rank above his own. The master of the house, of course, takes out the lady of highest rank and goes first, because she has precedence of everyone else. The gentleman of highest rank remains to the last and hands down the lady of the house. The intermediate couples are arranged according to their rank, or, if there be no question of rank, according to age and fitness. The two or more men who are unattached follow in the rear. This being arranged, the company take their places ; and on this again much of the success of a dinner depends. It is essential that everyone should PLACING GUESTS. 7 be seated next to persons agreeable to himself. A fashion now generally prevails, even in good houses, of writing the names of the guests on cards, or on the back of the menu, at the places to be occupied by each of them, by which means the plan of the dinner is pre-arranged. As, however, the master of the house precedes his guests and takes his place first at table, it is equally effective, and more graceful, if he requests each couple to take a given seat as they enter the. dining-room. In a large party the system of cards is unavoidable, but it occasions confusion from people in search of their seats, like children playing-hunt-the slipper. When the party consists of persons not previously known to each other, or where a stranger is present, half the time which ought to be devoted to eating and conversation is frequently spent in vain efforts to discover the name, character, and connexions of one's neighbours, and sometimes one may be betrayed by this ignorance into making inappropriate remarks which are embarrassing to both parties. This should as far as possible be avoided by a timely explanatory remark from the host, which puts the guests at their ease by making them better known to one another, and gives, as it were, the cue to conversation. The shape, size, and arrangement of the dinnertable are not matters of indifference. For a party not exceeding twelve a round table has some advantages, especially if the dining-room is broad or square. But a very large round table is a mistake, as it is impossible to talk across it and it is difficult to cover so large a space with appropriate decorations. As no 8 SEATS AT TABLE.

Cookery and housekeeping