Luncheons, breakfasts, simple dinners and carving

An invitation to dinner is an evidence of good will, but the eating- should promote instead of retard social intercourse. The hostess should wlrite her own invitations, and but a few things are really necessary for a good dinner. A clean, white table cloth, equally fresh napkins, china, glass and cutlery that are spotless, a few flowers to ornament the table, a comfortable room, well-cooked food, and a light dessert served in good taste — these are all that are needed. Much tact is necessary in selecting the guests for an informal dinner or any informal affair. As the intercourse is free and social in informal affairs the important dishes are put on the table, and the hostess can dish out the soup and the host can carve. A French roll or a small slice of bread should be folded in each napkin. If there are servants have them well trained beforehand, so no awkward mistakes will be made. The plates should be hot; any meal will be spoiled if the meat is put on cold plates. And the servant should have a napkin around her thumb, as even simple dinners are marred by any lack of neatness. Before serving the dessert the table should be cleared of everything but ' the fruit and flowers, and crumbs brushed on a tray with a brush or crumb scraper. The latter is the best because it is the neatest. Then bring on your dessert dishes. The dinner should not last more than an hour. THE FAMILY TABLE. Perfect ease at the table comes only from constant practice. The rules of etiquette should be strictly observed at home, and then there will be no fear of appearing awkward when in society. At meal time all the members of the family should meet together around a common table, and a pleasant conversation take place. Even in families of moderate circumstances, the table should be made as tasteful and attractive as possible. A few flowers and spotless linen will be an excellent appetizer, and few families are too poor to afford these. Among the people of means there has been a marked increase in the elegance of their table appointments in the last few years. To greet those in the room when you arrive with a "good morning," or "good evening," is a mark of politeness. To wear gloves at any meal, is "bad form," and they are never worn at formal meals. BREAKFAST TABLE. At the breakfast table, a tinted cloth and napkins may be used. The breakfast napkins are not quite as large as those used at dinner. Fruit should be regularly served at breakfast. In our own family we always had fruit for breakfast; the old adage that "fruit is gold in the morning," was generally believed by us all. Raw apples are as nice as any other fruit for breakfast and perhaps as cheap. More freedom is allowed at breakfast than any other meal. The morning paper, correspondence, or books, may be glanced over, which is not allowable at other meals, and any member of the family may leave the. table, as business dictates, without waiting for the others. Gentlemen, however, should never come to the table in their morning gowns. They should wear their morning suits, and the toilet of a lady should be carefully made. Any approach to slovenliness is always vulgar. LUNCHEONS.