The Chafing Dish Two Thousand Years Old

Women who flrst prized their chaflng dishes for their convenience are now feeling au added pleasure in using a utensil that has a history at least of 2,000 years. They refer to what Séneca said of them and quote Soyer's description of those nsed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The dish is also referred to by Cicero and is supposed to be the "anthepsa, " a kind of saucepan of Corinthiau brass of considerable valué and made with snch art that its contents dooked instantly and with little flre. This simple and iugenious vessel I possessed a doublé bottom, t!)e most one holding the light delicacies j destined for the dessert, and the fire was underneath. Another author says: "Not only did the chafiug dish adorn the tables at royal banquets and contribute to the gastronomic enjoyments of the rioh, but it was in high favor then, as now, among the tives of the histrionio art. Pliny relates that the tragio actor, sopns, had a dish worth 1,000 sesteroes. " The chafing dish was known in America as early as 1720, at about whiob time it is recorded tiiat a wealthy father, wishiug to give bis danghter "a truly elegant wedding outfit," ordered for her f rom Eugland, among othcr things, "six small bras chafing dishes, 4 shillings apiece. "