I often wonder if there was such a thing as a "simple" dinner party in the Victorian era. Did one ever just invite a friend or another couple over for an informal meal, where friends could chat at ease with one another? If so, I've never seen a mention of such a get-together in a Victorian magazine! Dinner parties tended to be elaborate affairs, involving many courses, careful attention to table decoration, and, of course, an understanding of such important issues as precedent - i.e., who was entitled to enter the dining room first, based upon their rank!

Dining as it is Practiced About Bedford Square (Godey's, 1833)

The First Dinner Party [April] (Illustrated London Almanack, 1855)

The Art of Dining (Harper's Monthly, 1876A)

Some basic rules for giving a formal dinner.

Toasts and Sentiments (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

One-line toasts for a variety of occasions.

My "At Home" and How I Managed It (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

Includes a number of recipes for entertaining.

The Bride's First Dinner Party, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1887)

How to arrange it and what to serve.

The Home-Coming; Progressive Dinner Parties; Floral Teas, by Laura Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

Madge Vaughan's First Dinner Party, by C.E.C. Weigall (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

An outline of how to host a party, with a variety of recipes.

When a Woman Is a Hostess, by Agnes H. Morton (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

This article is interesting for its use of diagrams to portray different types of party "problems," such as the monopolist, talking in pairs, etc. I've seen these diagrams before and never knew they went back so far.

Social Events in a Girl's Life: Literary Dinners, by La Petite (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

After-Dinner Oratory, by Brander Matthew (Century Magazine, 1898B)

Do's and don'ts of the art of after-dinner speaking.

A Vice-Regal Dinner Party, by A Major's Daughter (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

A Book Emblem Supper (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

How to prepare a feast based on literary themes.

• See also

Social Calling, Parties & Entertainments

Tea & Tea-Parties

• See the Cooking section for articles on dinner menus, entertaining, main courses, side dishes, etc.