For ordinary use, he may follow his own taste in china; but it is well to expend a trifle more in getting something that is artistic, and will always be in good taste. Willow ware is always in perfect taste, and, being heavy, has the added advantage of " toughness," which is a good point. Supposing then that one decides upon this:

1/2

dozen large plates

2

covered vegetable dishes

1/2

dozen small plates

1

sauce boat

1/2

dozen bread and butter

1

salad bowl

plates

1

cream pitcher

1/2

dozen cups and saucers

1/2

dozen sauce plates

2 2

platters bowls

1/2

dozen soup plates

This will be enough of the Willow ware. For dessert or fruit, a half dozen china plates will be needed, and half a dozen glass jelly plates as well. For his tumblers, he would better have them uniform and may have inexpensive ones of blown glass, or beautiful cut glass ones at a wide range in price. If he elects to have liquid refreshments, then he will get the correct thing in wine, cocktail and lemonade glasses, with the beloved steins of his college days answering for such beverages as beer, ale and stout. Then in addition he will need for his table the usual service which would better be of glass - as good as he can afford. It is really surprising what pretty and good glassware may be bought for a mere song. The list includes:

1 vinegar cruet 1 glass fruit dish

1 oil cruet I marmalade jar

1 water bottle 1 mayonnaise dish

1 Touraine castor for salt, 1 bread tray (preferably black and red pepper silver)

1 mustard pot and spoon 1 china tea pot and stand

1 butter dish 1 French copper coffee pot

2 sugar bowls for cut and (expensive but a joy forpowdered sugar ever)

1 celery tray 1 chafing dish and accomi olive tray panying utensils

6 demi tasses and the following silver:

1/2 dozen each forks, knives, 1 nut cracker, steel knives, dessert and 1 olive fork teaspoons 1/2 dozen oyster forks

1 sugar spoon and tongs 1 carving set.

1 butter knife

One may get on nicely with these - and possibly may be able to eliminate some from the list. The nut cracker is useful for breaking lobster as well as nuts, and the picks of course will be included, also fruit knives and orange spoons and after-dinner coffee spoons, if he can afford them. With the list as above, the bachelor may entertain very nicely on a small scale. He may, if he has the time and inclination, pick up veritable treasures at old auction rooms and second hand shops in solid silver and quaint old china that will give his dining service an individuality as strong as his pocketbook will stand.