The dessert may consist of merely two dishes of fruit for the top and bottom; dried fruits, biscuits, filberts, etc, for the sides and corners; and a cake for the centre.

3174. When the party is large, and ices are served, the ice-plates are placed round the table, and ice-pails at both ends of the table, and dishes with wafer-biscuits at the sides. Some persons have the ices served in glass dishes, which, together with the wafer-biscuits, are handed round before the usual dessert.

3175. When there is preserved ginger, it follows the ices, as it serves to stimulate the palate, so that the delicious coolness of the wines may be better appreciated.

3176. The side and corner dishes usually put on for dessert, consist of: - Compotes in glass dishes; frosted fruit served on lace-paper, in small glass dishes; preserved and dried fruits, in glass dishes; biscuits, plain and fancy; fresh fruit, served in dishes surrounded with leaves or moss; olives, wafer-biscuits, brandy-scrolls, etc.

3177. The centre dishes may consist either of a Savoy or an ornamental cake, on an elevated stand - a group of waxen fruit, surrounded with moss - a melon - a pine apple - grapes - or a vase of flowers.