The servant watches the number of guests, and when all have arrived announces dinner; or in case of a belated guest, he waits for a signal from the hostess. When dinner is announced the host offers his right arm to the lady who is to sit at his right. The other couples follow; then, last, the hostess with the gentleman who is to sit at her right.

Guests are enabled to find their places easily by means of "place cards," on which the name of each guest is distinctly written. Confusion in seating the guests is thus avoided, and those who are congenial can be placed near each other.

The host and hostess may sit at the ends of the table or in the middle of each side. The lady who is to be especially honored sits on the host's right, she who is to be honored next, on his left. Similarly, two gentlemen are honored by seats on the right and left of the hostess.

The hostess should, as far as possible, bring together only guests who "mix well," and should select the dinner partners tactfully. Two very quiet people should not be seated together, or two who have very decided opinions, or two who are known to be uncongenial. The dinner should be a feast of good things other than food, and conversation should be as entertaining as possible. Upon host and hostess, of course, devolves the duty of keeping conversation alive, though the guests are expected to do their part. Many a hostess has saved the day by a bon mot or a tactful change of subject. Some women are born hostesses, most women can be made, or rather can make themselves, successful hostesses. The chief essentials are tact, which is the saving grace of women, the ability to be interested in many things, and true kindliness.

For a Breakfast.

For a Luncheon.

For a Formal Dinner.

Courtesy, after all - that is, true courtesy - is a matter of the heart, and is not dependent upon a knowledge of social usages. Some women, notably poor conversationalists, are still very (•harming hostesses. In them thoughtfulness and tact make up for lack of brilliancy.

For the sake of her own peace of mind, however, the hostess should leave nothing to chance. All should be carefully planned beforehand, the servants properly instructed, and everything in readiness before the guests arrive, so that the dinner may proceed with the smoothness of clockwork, with the hostess as free from care as the guests at her own table.