little with all her guests, even if the number is large ; but she
should pay special attention to strangers. If there is any
lady present accomplished in any way, the hostess may re-
quest her to assist in entertaining the others ; and compli-
ance on the part of the guest should be immediate and
cheerful, unless there is some grave reason for declining.
The hostess may omit such requests for assistance, without
implying any offence. In the case of guests who are pro-
fessionally distinguished, this question of entertainment
should always be previously understood, because sometimes
there are objections to their contributing to the evening's
amusement. After the gentlemen enter the drawing-room,
tea should be served, and then the guests are at liberty to
depart; but where strict social propriety is preserved, no
one should leave until after the guest of honor has gone.
As each guest takes leave of the hostess, a few words should
be said in acknowledgment of the enjoyment of a pleasant
evening, without any reference to the dinner itself The call
after the dinner should be made in due time, as also should
the reciprocating hospitality.
CHAPTER X.
THE ETIQUETTE OF VARIOUS ENTERTAIN-
MENTS.
LARGE BREAKFASTS.
AS breakfasts are far less expensive than dinner-partie?
and as the time chosen, between nine and twelve
O'clock, is generally less full than the evening hours, these
entertainments are greatly favored by people of leisure. In
common with luncheons, they afford a pleasant and available
form of hospitality which gentlemen without establishments
can offer to their lady friends. The etiquette is very simple :
an informal written invitation, sent either by hand or post,
to which there is an immediate corresponding response, and
a return entertainment during the season, when the breakfast
is given by a lady, fulfil all requirements. The toilet for
guests is a walking costume, and for the host a quiet morn-
ing toilet. The place of the entertainment may be in one's
own house, or at any well-known restaurant.
The table should be laid in a sunny, cheerful room, with
spotless linen and china, and polished glass and silver. The
table arrangement for an elaborate breakfast is the same as
for dinner, except that no soup is served, and the coffee and
tea equipages are placed upon the table. Bread, butter,
relishes, condiments, fruit and flowers, are upon the table ;
the hot dishes are upon the sideboard in chafing-dishes, or
are served hot from the kitchen in courses, according to the
preference of the host. Hot breads come to the table with
142
THE ETIQUETTE OF ENTERTAINMEISTTS. 1 43
Page 82
Presented as published in 1885. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
little with all her guests, even if the number is large ; but she should pay special attention to strangers. If there is any lady present accomplished in any way, the hostess may request her to assist in entertaining the others ; and compliance on the part of the guest should be immediate and cheerful, unless there is some grave reason for declining. The hostess may omit such requests for assistance, without implying any offence. In the case of guests who are professionally distinguished, this question of entertainment should always be previously understood, because sometimes there are objections to their contributing to the evening's amusement. After the gentlemen enter the drawing-room, tea should be served, and then the guests are at liberty to depart; but where strict social propriety is preserved, no one should leave until after the guest of honor has gone. As each guest takes leave of the hostess, a few words should be said in acknowledgment of the enjoyment of a pleasant evening, without any reference to the dinner itself The call after the dinner should be made in due time, as also should the reciprocating hospitality.
THE ETIQUETTE OF VARIOUS ENTERTAIN- MENTS.
LARGE BREAKFASTS.
AS breakfasts are far less expensive than dinner-parties and as the time chosen, between nine and twelve O'clock, is generally less full than the evening hours, these entertainments are greatly favored by people of leisure. In common with luncheons, they afford a pleasant and available form of hospitality which gentlemen without establishments can offer to their lady friends. The etiquette is very simple : an informal written invitation, sent either by hand or post, to which there is an immediate corresponding response, and a return entertainment during the season, when the breakfast is given by a lady, fulfil all requirements. The toilet for guests is a walking costume, and for the host a quiet morning toilet. The place of the entertainment may be in one's own house, or at any well-known restaurant.
The table should be laid in a sunny, cheerful room, with spotless linen and china, and polished glass and silver. The table arrangement for an elaborate breakfast is the same as for dinner, except that no soup is served, and the coffee and tea equipages are placed upon the table. Bread, butter, relishes, condiments, fruit and flowers, are upon the table ; the hot dishes are upon the sideboard in chafing-dishes, or are served hot from the kitchen in courses, according to the preference of the host. Hot breads come to the table with