We have presented some rules regarding the preparation and serving of a formal dinner. In every well-regulated family the table should be prepared daily with the same care, if not so elaborate, as for such an occasion. This is a good way to insure success for hostess and servants when a dinner party does come off, while it gives the mistress and servants the luxury of becoming used to a nice style, so that it is just as easy as common ways, and no sudden visitor can put them out. In the family it should be observed as a rule to meet together at all meals of the day around one common table where the same rules of etiquette should be as rigidly enforced as at the table of a stranger. It is only by the constant practice of the rules of good society at home that good manners become easy when any of them are invited out to meet strangers.

At the breakfast table, a greater amount of freedom is allowable than at the other meals of the day. Some members of the family require to be off at an early hour. Thus all may not be able to meet together, and each may rise and leave the table when business or pleasure dictate. The mistress serves the coffee, and the master of the house the meats, potatoes, etc. Whenever practicable, it is well to serve fruits at breakfast, and they should be served first, followed by oat-meal, or wheaten grits, then the meats and vegetables, with toast, hot cakes, and coffee.

The last meal of the day, supper or " tea," is the simplest of the three, and meats are mostly served cold, while the nicest delicacies of cookery are served up.

In some sense, housekeeping is making the most of life, bringing taste and variety into it, compassing difficult ends with invention. Those who disdain it lower themselves. Never think that any thing is too good for you or yours that you can obtain. Everywhere there are people living in small common ways, because they are absolutely afraid of the expense or the notice which a pleasanter life would bring. Half the niceties of life involve only care to secure them, without a dollar of expense. Good manners cost nothing, good taste is a saving, and good housekeeping actually makes money. People grow refined first in their eating. How is it that the most brilliant and clever nation in the world has also the best cooking? Put these things together, and do your best according to their result.