Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/1885

Rh The question of what wine is to be drunk at dinner will determine what glasses will be wanted, as the glasses used for dessert are put on afterwards.

Supposing, as is so often the case, sherry, champagne, and claret are to be served, put the proper glasses for each to the right side of each person, setting them in a triangle, with the sherry glass (the first used) at the top, just reaching to the point of the knife, but at a convenient distance from it.

The sideboard requires to be laid as carefully as the dinner-table itself, and everything that can be put there ready for placing on the table afterwards, such as finger glasses, glasses for dessert wine, dessert plates, decanters, and knives, forks, and spoons of every kind should be there ready and carefully arranged. The decanters, salvers, glasses, etc., should be put well at the back of the sideboard, and the plates, knives, forks, etc., neatly laid in front.

When the dinner is not carved on the table, one specially intended for the carver should be prepared with carving knives and forks (the former carefully sharpened beforehand) of various kinds, soup ladle, fish carvers, etc., in the order of serving the dinner, that nothing may delay him when he commences his duties.

If the dessert is not upon the table during dinner, room shoud be found for it on a side table, or at least for all that can be put there.

Champagne, hock, or other sparkling wines that are only uncorked when wanted, may find a place under the sideboard or side tables where the ice pails are to be found; decanted wines are put on the sideboard.

WEDDING, AT HOME, HIGH AND FAMILY TEAS Wedding teas are very much the same thing as "at home" teas, but are, as a rule, more crowded and less satisfactory than the latter. People ask so many more to tea than they would think of inviting to the now old-fashioned wedding breakfast, and the visitors all come together, as the bride has, as a rule, but a very short time to stay. She cuts the cake, or rather makes the first incision, as at a wedding breakfast, but there are no speeches and but little ceremony.

"At Home" teas differ from the weekly "at homes," which have become institutions in so many families both in town and country. Some entertainment is generally provided, usually music, professional singers and pianists being sometimes engaged. When this is the case, the lady of the house does not often ask her amateur friends to give their services; but sometimes these friends contribute the music, and it is well to make a little plan or programme beforehand, arranging who shall be asked to perform and apprising them of the fact so that they may come prepared. The hostess, even if she be herself musical, has her time taken up very fully with receiving and looking after her guests, and unless she sings the first song or plays the first piece should leave herself free to devote herself to her guests. The instrumental