The third course comprises dishes of one kind, the dessert.
The number of dishes of each kind is generally according to the number of guests.
It may also be according to the importance of the occasion for which the dinner is given; to the honor the giver or givers wish to show the personage or personages invited; to the amount of money they are willing to spend, etc.
The following table shows how many dishes of each kind are to be served at dinner to a certain number of persons:
| For.. | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 80 | 100 | Persons. |
| Serve | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Potages. |
| " | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 16 | Hors-d'oeuvres. |
| " | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Relevés of fish. |
| " | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | " of meat. |
| " | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | Entrées. |
| " | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Rôts. |
| " | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | Salads of greens. |
| " | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | Entremets. |
| " | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | Large side pieces of Relevés & Entrées. | |||||
| " | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | " cakes. | |||||||
| " | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 36 | Plates of Dessert. |
The above table shows the number of dishes, but more than one dish of the same kind can be served; for instance, four kinds of potages, relevés, etc., are served for forty; but two or four dishes of each kind can be served.
The size of the relevés and rôts should be according to the number of guests.
It is just as easy to select dishes for a small family-dinner as for a grand one; two, three, four, or more dishes can be selected; for instance, you select a potage, an entrée or rôt, or both, one vegetable or a sweet dish, or both; and one or as many plates of dessert as you please.
Have a bouquet on the middle of the table, if possible, or at least a basket of fruit. Flowers during dinner have the same effect as music after it; they soften the manners, and gently and sweetly gratify the senses.