emble in the
parlor, which was almost invariably connected with the dining-room
by large folding doors. When the dinner was ready the doors were
thrown open, and the table was revealed, laden with china and cut-
glass ware. A watery compound called vegetable soup was invariably
served, followed by boiled fish, overdone roast beef or mutton,
roast fowl or game in season, and a great variety of puddings,
pies, cakes, and ice-creams. The fish, meat, and fowl were carved
and helped by the host, while the lady of the house distributed
the vegetables, the pickles, and the dessert. Champagne, without
ice, was sparingly supplied in long, slender glasses, but there
was no lack of sound claret, and with the dessert several bottles
of old Madeira were generally produced by the host, who succinctly
gave the age and history of each. The best Madeira was that labeled
"The Supreme Court" as their Honors, the Justices, used to make a
direct importation every year, and sip it as they consulted over
the cases before them every day after dinner, when the cloth had
been removed. Some rare specimens of this wine can still be found
in Washington wine-cellars.

At the evening parties the carpet was lifted from the room set
apart for dancing, and to protect the dancers from slipping the
floor was chalked, usually in colors. The music was almost invariably
a first and second violin, with flute and harp accompaniments.
Light refreshments, such as water-ices, lemonade, negus, and small
cakes were handed about on waiters between every two or three
dances. The crowning glory of the entertainment, however, was the
supper, prepared under the supervision of the hostess, aided by
some of her intimate friends, who also loaned their china and
silverware. The table was covered with _a la mode_ beef, cold
roast turkey, duck, and chicken, fried and stewed oysters, blanc-
mange, jellies, whips, floating islands, candied oranges, and
numerous varieties of tarts and cakes. Very often the older men
would linger after the ladies had departed, and even reassemble
with those, and discuss the wines _ad libitum_, if not _ad nauseam_,
while the young men, after having escorted the ladies to their
respective homes, would meet again at some oyster-house or go out
on a lark, in imitation of the young English bloods in the favorite
play of Tom and Jerry. Singing, or rather shouting, they would
break windows, wrench off knockers, call up doctors, and transpos