ancy of the wine, and impairs its flavor and bouquet.

Lighter wines, such as bordeaux and most Italian wines, should be
decanted only an hour before dinner, and brought into the dining room
as late as possible before using. Sauterne, rhine wine, burgundy and
champagne should be served from the original bottles, which should be
stood up on end at least twenty-four hours before serving, to give the
sediment time to settle at the bottom. The cork should be very carefully
drawn without shaking the bottle, the bottle slowly tilted, and the
clear wine gently poured out. A small quantity of wine containing the
sediment should be left in the bottle. Putting ice in the wine glass
will spoil the flavor of any fine wine.

A few drops of wine should first be poured into the host's glass, before
serving the guests. If a toast to the health of any one present be
proposed, the guest in whose honor the toast is given, must not drink,
but should acknowledge the compliment with a smile and bow of thanks.
The etiquette in regard to the German custom of clinking glasses is very
well defined. One must hold the wine glass by the stem, being careful
not to touch the bowl with the fingers. Convention also requires that
one must look the person with whom one clinks glasses in the eye, and
not at the wine, as one unfamiliar with this custom is very apt to do.

CHAPTER II.

HOW TO SEND THE INVITATION--HOW TO SERVE IN PROPER FORM DINNERS AND
LUNCHEONS WITH MENUS AND RECIPES.

THE INVITATION.

Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Brown
request the pleasure of
Mr and Mrs. Jones' company
at Dinner,
on Wednesday, January 17,
at seven o'clock.

16 Overton Street,
January 2.

The invitation should be addressed to the lady invited as "Mrs. George
W. Jones."

Mr. and Mr. George W. Jones
accept with pleasure
Mr. and Mrs. Brown's kind invitation
to Dinner,
on Wednesday, January 17,
at seven o'clock.

268 West Avenue,
January 3.

Address envelope to "Mrs. Reuben Brown."

These are for formal dinners. If the dinner is an informal affair, a
simple note addressed to the wife, asking her and her husband to dine is
sufficient.

When the guests have arrived the servant in charge should announce the
dinner to the lady of the house.

The host takes the lady who is to sit at his right, and leads the way.
The hostess brings up the rear with the guest who is to occupy the same
position at her right.

Cards, with the