But whatever type of cloth is used, the middle crease must be put on so that it is an absolutely straight and unwavering line down the exact center from head to foot.  If it is an embroidered one, be sure the embroidery is “right side out.”  Next goes the centerpiece which is always the chief ornament.  Usually this is an arrangement of flowers in either a bowl or a vase, but it can be any one of an almost unlimited variety of things; flowers or fruit in any arrangement that taste and ingenuity can devise; or an ornament in silver that needs no flowers, such as a covered cup; or an epergne, which, however, necessitates the use of fruit, flowers or candy.  Mrs. Wellborn, for instance, whose heirlooms are better than her income, rarely uses flowers, but has a wonderful old centerpiece that is ornament enough in itself.  The foundation is a mirror representing a lake, surrounded by silver rocks and grass.  At one side, jutting into the lake, is a knoll with a group of trees sheltering a stag and doe.  The ornament is entirely of silver, almost twenty inches high, and about twenty inches in diameter across the “lake.”

The Normans have a full-rigged silver ship in the center of their table and at either end rather tall lanterns, Venetian really, but rather appropriate to the ship; and the salt cellars are very tall ones (about ten inches high), of sea shells supported on the backs of dolphins.

However, to go back to table setting:  A cloth laid straight; then a centerpiece put in the middle; then four candlesticks at the four corners, about half-way between the center and the edge of the table, or two candelabra at either end halfway between the places of the host and hostess and the centerpiece.  Candles are used with or without shades.  Fashion at the moment, says “without,” which means that, in order to bring the flame well above people’s eyes, candlesticks or candelabra must be high and the candles as long as the proportion can stand.  Longer candles can be put in massive candlesticks than in fragile ones.  But whether shaded or not, there are candles on all dinner tables always!  The center droplight has gone out entirely.  Electroliers in candlesticks were never good style, and kerosene lamps in candlesticks—­horrible!  Fashion says, “Candles! preferably without shades, but shades if you insist, and few or many—­but candles!”

Next comes the setting of the places. (If it is an extension table, leaves have, of course, been put in; or if it is stationary, guests have been invited according to its size.) The distance between places at the table must never be so short that guests have no elbow room, and that the servants can not pass the dishes properly; when the dining-room chairs are very high backed and are placed so close as to be almost touching, it is impossible for them not to risk spilling something over some one.  On the other hand, to place people a yard or more apart so that conversation has to be shouted into the din made by everyone else’s