Etiquette of Foreign Ministers at D.C.

A failure to seat a member of the corps or his wife in the precise seat belonging to his or her rank at the table would probably destroy the pleasure of the occasion. Not one inch farther from the host or hostess than belonged to the country they represent, would be tolerated.– Public domain image of a map of South America from 1892

Foreign Ministers demand the most scrupulous observance of the stereotyped rules of etiquette, and watch with scrutiny every attention and inattention to them. A failure to seat a member of the corps or his wife in the precise seat belonging to his or her rank at the table would probably destroy the pleasure of the occasion. Not one inch farther from the host or hostess than belonged to the country they represent, would be tolerated. The placing of the diplomats in line to be presented on occasions of ceremony must be done in strict observance of rank and importance of each. 

Hence, persons dining or entertaining these dignitaries must first post themselves accurately on the status of every Kingdom, province and principality, if they expect to give their guests pleasure and to avoid a scene, such as has characterized occasions where “second-class South America” has occupied positions a few paces above “first-class Europe,” or where little European provinces have been given more conspicuous places than greater Kingdoms. — American Magazine, 1888

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