places the lady whom he escorts on his
right. If the number is small, the host indicates the places the guests
should occupy as they enter the room; if the party is large, the menu
card at each plate bears the name of the guest for whom it is designed.
The lady escorted by the host should be the first one served.

Soup is always taken and tasted, whether liked or not; after the first
course, it is proper to accept or refuse a dish, as preferred.

No well-bred hostess ever apologizes for the food upon her table or
urges anything upon her guests when once declined. No orders should be
given to servants during the meal; everything that will contribute to
the proper serving of the dinner should be arranged beforehand, and all
necessary instructions given.

At the close of the dinner, the hostess gives the sign for retiring.

TABLE TOPICS.

A meal--what is it? Just enough of food
To renovate and well refresh the frame,
So that with spirits lightened, and with strength renewed,
We turn with willingness to work again.

--_Sel._

Do not bring disagreeable things to the table in your conversation
any more than you would in your dishes.--_Sel._

Courtesy in the mistress of the house consists in feeding
conversation; never in usurping it.--_Mme. Swetchine_

Good humor and good health follow a good meal; and by a good meal we
mean anything, however simple, well dressed in its way.--_Smiles._

Unquiet meals make ill digestion.--_Shakespeare._

Eat slowly and do not season your food with care.--_Sel._

To rise from the table _able_ to eat a little more is a proverbially
good rule for every one. There is nothing more idiotic than forcing
down a few mouthfuls, because they happen to remain on one's plate
after hunger is satisfied, and because they may be "wasted" if left.
It is the most serious waste to overtax the stomach with even half
an ounce more than it can take care of.--_Sel._

I pray you, O excellent wife! cumber not yourself and me to get a
curiously rich dinner for this man and woman who have just alighted
at our gate.... These things, if they are desirous of them, they can
get for a few shillings at any village inn; but rather let that
stranger see, if he will, in your looks, accents, and behavior, your
heart and earnestness, your thought and will, that which he cannot
buy at any price in any ci