Much has been said upon this subject in the department of "Table
Etiquette," and as laying the table formally for a state affair
approaches so nearly the proper setting of the home table, much will
be found there that is available upon this important topic.

The table, which, since the introduction of the extension, is no
longer the cosy round form which brought the guests so comfortably
near one another, should be first covered with heavy felting, or
double Canton flannel. Over this is to be laid the heaviest, snowiest
damask cloth that the linen closet affords. This should have been
faultlessly laundried, and is accompanied by large, fine napkins
matching the cloth in design. These should be very simply folded, and
without starch, and are laid just beyond the plate toward the center
of the table. Square is the best form for folding, and each should
contain a small thick piece of bread in its folds. This should be
about three inches long and at least an inch thick. This is to be
eaten with the soup, not crumbed into it. A roll sometimes takes its
place. Some hostesses have the bread passed in a silver basket.

A plate is furnished each place, large enough to contain the Majolica
plate for raw oysters. Of course a small plain plate may be used for
these, but those designed for the purpose are much more elegant. A
tiny, fancy salt is provided for each place (see farther in "Table
Etiquette").

Two knives, three forks, and a soup spoon, all of silver, are placed
at each plate. Some dinner-givers place the knives, forks, and spoon,
all on the right side of the plate, excepting the small,
peculiarly-shaped oyster fork, which is placed at the left, it having
been decided that raw oysters shall be eaten with the fork in the left
hand, prongs down.

Still other hostesses place the knives and spoon at the right hand,
the forks at the left, the oyster fork diagonally, with the prongs
crossing the handles of the others, the law of their arrangement being
nowise immutable in its nature.

Silver, glass, and china, should all be of the brightest. At the right
hand of each guest should be placed an engraved glass for water. To
make certain that these are in line all around, it is well to measure
with the hand from the edge of the table to the tip of the middle
finger and there place the glass; following this rule around the
entire circumference. This glass, if wine is used, gives a center,
round which the vari-colored wineglass