s at their apartments, at
which the maid who has cooked the meal, dressed in white apron and black
gown, also serves it.

The _menu_ should be the usual one expected at luncheons, but champagne
is never offered by a man to women in his apartments, unless at dinner
or a theater supper. If a wealthy bachelor has a large house, and
instead of one there are a number of matrons chaperoning, the case is
different. Manhattan or Martini cocktails could be passed around before
luncheon, or some little peculiar dish be served to give a zest to the
occasion.

_A bachelor's dinner_ at his house or apartments is a more formal
entertainment, but it differs in nowise from a regular function of that
character. The chaperon takes the place of the lady of the house for
that occasion. Dressing rooms are arranged for the men and women, and
the same ceremonies observed as at any formal dinner. If the affair is
given in apartments, of course the character must be more or less
informal, as the accommodations are limited. Should you have a man serve
at your dinner, he must be in evening dress. Both at dinner and at
luncheon he must have gloves, but this is not required of a maid.

A bachelor's supper in his own apartments is sometimes given after the
play. Of the _menu_, I will speak a little farther on. A chafing-dish
supper is, however, an unique and enjoyable entertainment. Several
chafing dishes should be ready, so that each course can follow without
delay. Terrapin, truffled eggs, curried oysters, and other dainties of
this kind comprise usually the _menu_. It would be well to serve first
oysters on the half shell, followed by lobster _a la Newburg_, the
latter being the first _plat_ cooked with the chafing dish. Champagne is
a good wine, and allowable for a chafing-dish supper; but if Welsh
rarebits are the _chef d'oeuvre_, then beer or ale would be better.

_A theater party_ should be confined to eight or ten. A _parti
carre_--four people--is delightful. Unmarried women do not go to
theaters or restaurants with a man alone. They must be chaperoned, even
at a matinee or a luncheon party at a hotel or restaurant--in fact, an
unmarried couple is seldom seen at public places in New York, unless
they are engaged, and married women are as much compromised as unmarried
ones by indifference to this absolute rule of etiquette.

The invitations can be either verbal or written. In the season it is
better to write them, to insure the acceptanc