As most of the evening is spent in the dining-room, particular attention is given to the decoration of it, and the appointments of the table, to make them original and attractive. The national colors prevail in the use of bunting and flowers, and none save those peculiar to February should be utilized; tropical foliage is dispensed with, and, inasmuch as Kentucky was Mr. Lincoln's native state, only such evergreens as are native to that commonwealth—as holly, cedar, laurel, etc.,—should be used to supply the necessary greenery disposed about the room, the particular arrangement of which must be decided by the furnishings therein and by individual taste.
The table is laid in the regulation white, dotted over with American Beauty petals and violets, the edge being draped in laurel tied with tri-colored ribbon. In the middle is laid a round mat of woodland moss to simulate bluegrass, and on it rests a miniature log cabin, around which is built a fancy rail fence made of chocolate sticks; a number of little pickaninnies are seen playing about the house, and grin out at the guests, which renders the effect very realistic and interesting. Little jugs tied with blue ribbon are also prominent features. In front of each cover stands a diminutive barrel labeled "Old Bourbon," but in reality holding nothing more harmful than delicious bon bons, unless it happens to be a stag affair, when the genuine article would be preferable. Ices are presented in fancy moulds decorated with small darkies, and in the form of the dome of the Capitol, or any other suggestive figure that one prefers.
In issuing the invitations the guests are informed that one and all will be expected to contribute to the general enjoyment by relating some story or anecdote of Lincoln.
For St. Patrick's Day.
Menu for Irish Luncheon:
| Cream of Potato Soup with Powdered Parsley, |
| Celery Curls (Pigtails), |
| Salted Almonds, |
| Pigs in Blankets, |
| (Oysters skewered in slices of bacon and broiled), |
| Coldslaw, |
| Croquettes shaped like Potatoes, resting in Beds of Cress, |
| Stuffed Baked Potatoes (Fixed with tiny wooden skewers to resemble Pigs), |
| Spinach served in Shamrock Decorated Cases, |
| Shamrock-shaped Bread and Butter Sandwiches, |
| Sweet Watermelon Pickle or Spiced Peach, decorated with Angelica Shamrocks, |
| Salad of French Beans, Peas and Pearl Onions in Lettuce Leaf, |
| Ice Cream in Slices decorated with Green Sugar Shamrocks, |
| or Pistachio Ice Cream, |
| Small Cakes decorated with Harps of Gold Candies, |
| Coffee, Buttermilk. |
For favors there are Irish hats, clay pipes, Irish flags, harps, shamrocks, bon bon boxes, green snakes, etc. Oxalis answers for shamrock and pots of this arranged in a "fairy ring" with fairy lamps or green-shaded candles make a pretty, inexpensive centerpiece.
Attractive Easter Luncheon.
An extremely attractive Easter luncheon is as follows: The table is round, covered with a snowy damask cloth, exquisite china, sparkling glass and silver. The center piece, a small gilded cart, wreathed in violets and smilax, holds decorated eggs colored in tints of yellow and purple, while mingling with them are clusters of violets tied with lavender ribbons, one end extending to the front of each cover and there attached to wee yellow chickens resting in nests of violets, in whose beaks are tiny cards with name in gold.
Have also nests of spun sugar containing candy eggs, wax tapers burning under creamy lace shades. At each end of the table tall vases filled with ferns and garlanded with vines and at every plate daffodils growing in pots covered with green tissue paper.