Etiquette as observed in European courts is not known at the White
House.
The President's Secretary issues invitations by direction of the
President to the distinguished guests.
The Usher in charge of the cloak-room hands to the gentleman on
arrival an envelope containing a diagram of the table (as cut shows),
whereon the name and seat of the respective guest and the lady he is
to escort to dinner are marked.
A card corresponding with his name is placed on the napkin belonging
to the cover of the seat he will occupy.
The President's seat is in the middle of the table. The most
distinguished guests sit on his right and left. If their wives are
present they will occupy these seats, and the gentlemen will be seated
next to the President's wife whose seat is directly opposite the
President.
Official dinners all over the world are always served after the
French fashion, and are divided into three distinct parts. Two of them
are served from the kitchen, and the third from the pantry.
The first part of the dinner served French style includes from oysters
on the shell to the sherbets.
The second service continues to the sweet dishes.
The third includes ice, cakes, fruits, cheeses, which are all
understood as desserts, and are dressed in the pantry.
All principal dishes which are artistically decorated are shown to the
President first, then are carried around the table before being carved
by the Steward in the pantry.
Fancy folding of the napkins is considered out of fashion; plain
square folded, so as to show monogram in the middle, is much
preferred.
The following diagram will illustrate the arrangement of the glasses
on the table. (See diagram.)
A--Plate.
I--Glass for Sauterne.
II--Glass for Sherry.
III--Glass for Rhine Wine.
IV--Glass for Water.
V--Glass for Champagne.
VI--Glass for Burgundy.
Flower decorations on the table are to be in flat designs, so as not
to obscure the view of the guests.
Corsage boquets for ladies consist of not more than eight large roses
tied together by silk ribbon, with the name of the lady stamped on in
gold letters.
Gentlemen's bouttonieres consist only of one rosebud.
Boquets for ladies are to be placed on the right side; for gentlemen,
on the napkin next to card bearing his name.
Printed menus are never used on any official occasion.
The private dinners menus are either printed or written on a plain
card and placed on each cover.
Liquors, cordials, cigars are served on a separate table after the
ladies have retired to the parlor.