The oysters are in place when the guests are seated. When this course is finished, the oyster plate is removed and the service plate left in place. The soup plate is set upon this and, when this is removed, the service plate still is left and is used for olives, etc., being removed, with the left hand, when the fish plate is set down from the right with the right hand. When the fish plate is removed, the plate, with the entrée neatly disposed upon it, replaces it. The plate for the roast displaces that on which the entrée was served and is, in turn, displaced by the plate holding the glass of Roman punch and so on. In this manner a plate is always before the guest, until the table is cleared for the dessert. Then, the table being freed of condiments, relishes and stray crumbs, set down plates for the dessert, or plates holding individual portions of the dessert from the right. In order remove these from the right with the left hand, and set in place, with the right hand, the finger-bowls on doily-covered plates. Let the bowls be filled one third with warm water. The finger bowls are set on the doilies upon the table; and the plates are used for bonbons, which are now passed; after which the ladies retire. Coffee and liquour in tiny glasses are served to the gentlemen in the dining-room, and coffee and green mint with fine ice, or, sometimes, maraschino, to the ladies, in the reception room. Spoons are passed with the mint.

The Order Of Serving Dinner

In serving dinner, the maids, if there be two, begin at opposite ends of the table and serve first, the one, the lady on the right of the host, and the other, the gentleman on the right of the hostess, and so on, in order, until all have been served. In the next course, the lady and gentleman on the left of the host and hostess, respectively, are served first, and thus in regular order. If there be but one waitress, she begins first at the right, then at the left of the host ; the right and then the left of the hostess, thus each time coming last to the host or the hostess.