The Art of Dining

One of my prized possession is a battered, green leather book with the words 'HOME DINNERS' embossed in gold on the front.

Inside are details of Dinner Party Menus dating from 1904 - 1910. Not only do they give the Menu for the evening but detail who the guests were, what was served and by whom, and the flower decorations. All noted down in very pretty handwriting in black ink, presumably by the hostess. I do wish she had written her name on the inside cover of the book for me to research her.

This is a typical Dinner Party Menu for fourteen guests and 'ourselves':

Menu

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Consomme Chiffonade

Filets de Sols a L'American/Lobster Sauce & Madeira

Ris de Veau a l'Italienne

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Welsh Saddle of Mutton

Sea Kale

Pintades a la Broche

Langue de Boeuf Russe

Salade Mache

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Plum Pudding

Compote de Pommes

Croutes de Sardines

a la diable

***

Dessert

The table was decorated with : All coloured Tulips - Dwarf Similar

and Fern Velsken centre.

The servants: Bertha, Jessie, Nancy and the Cook: A Newland

Such an elegant and gracious way of living