THE CENTURY COOK BOOK
Part I
DINNER-GIVING AND THE ETIQUETTE OF DINNERS
"To feed were best at home;
From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony,
Meeting were bare without it."—Shakspere
A dinner party may be considered as holding the highest rank among entertainments. In no other social function is etiquette so strictly observed. There are prescribed rules for the form of the invitation, the manner of assigning each guest his place at the table, the manner of serving the dinner, etc.; and when these rules are followed there need be no embarrassments.
It should always be remembered that the social part of the entertainment is on a higher plane than the gas- company, gastronomic one, though the latter must by no means be slighted. A sentiment expressed by the wit who said, "A fig for your bill of fare, give me a bill of your company," is generally felt, and a hostess should bring together only such people as she believes will be mutually agreeable.
