The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-09
VOL. 1, NO. 6.


possible during meals. IF the family wait upon
themselves, some one person shoaa do it, and
not have general jumping for Missing article.
| have sat at tables where two or three CT even
more, would be absent at the same tine--one
perhaps, for bread, another for water, and others
for something else The daughters of family
cantake tarns in doing this. The lady at the
head of the table should never leave her seat.
till by rising, she fntimates that the repast is
finished. No member Of the family should leave
the table before all are ready to leave, without
asking to be excused by the lady of the house
and it is far better unless some urgeut reason
prevents, for all to remain till the close of the
meal.
1t Is not now customary for those first served
to wait till all are helped, thus insuring to them
selves cold dinner, but each one assumes his
knife and fork as his plate is furnished
The carver should serve meat as he cuts #
and not disscct whole fowl at once. or FIJI bis
dish with fragments heaped up and lying about
like slaughtered army. Do not help too abund.
antly to either meat or vegetables Nis EASY to
pass plate second time. The present style is
to pass the vegetables and let each one help him.
self. In cold weather the plates should ALWAYS
be warmed. 1t is unpleasant to see gravy, stifen-
ing en- the plate.
The seat of honor for guest is: for a lady.
at the right hand of the gentlemen; and for
gentlemen, seat at the right hand of the lady
who pres DIES at table. The lady of the house
leads the way from the parlor to the dining-room
the gentleman follows the Others Where there
is company to dine, and much form is to be OBJ
served the most distinguished guest of the gen.
tlemen is invited by the host to escort the lady,
and the gentlemen of the house takes upon his
arm the most distinguished lady-visitor
Habits of eating are important, and no little
straw shows more plainly which way the wind
blows, than these show ones acquaintance, or
want of acquaintance, with society When |
was a child, ate with my knife and the great
lesson was to teach me to put it to my mouth
with the sharp edge from the lips. But now,
in polite society, it is considered as great az
offense against propriety to use the knife for any
other porpose than to cut the food, as it then
was to put it in the mouth in such way as to be
in danger Of mipgling my blood With my din
ner.
Don't put your knife in your mouth So-you
viii cut yourself" was then the reproof that fell
upon the child'S ears. Now he hears, or should
hear Don't put your knife in your mouth
use your fork" advise every child, and every
young person to be very particular in regard to
this matter, for although it may seem unimpor
tant, am well assured that it is not Our use
fulness depends much on small matters, and what
ever custom, and good society have made import
ant, is really so if we would be at home in good
society. To use the knife, instead Of the fork,
betrays want of association with refined life.
Above all do not use the lips to wipe your
knife, as l. not long since, saw done by young
gentleman (D. suppose this did not mar the
beauty of his dinner, but am sure it did of mine.
While would say to the young, do not put the
knife to your mouth any sooner than you would
put it to your throat, which simply means, don't
do it. would at the same time say, never al
low yourself to be troubled because your father
or mother choose to retain the habits of their
childhood. They have right to do so, and 40
child has right to treat them with any less
respect or reverence because of it. Young per-
sons are too apt to forget this and to fail sadly
in rendering to their parents the honor that is
their due.
Clear smooth, white table linen is of the ut
most consequence. No table can look well with
) out it. If table linen is starched, it should be
only very slightly. If ironed. when quite damp
Thoroughly ;roasd, ii is glossy and stiff enough.
Napkins are now considered essential, and should
be found upon the table for breakfast, dinner and
tea They are very convenient at all times, to
: soy the least They should be large enough to
protect the Dress and yet not IS large as towels
1t is quite desirable to have ivory or other rings
numbered or marked with the initials, so that
each person may have his own from meal to m0ai
unless clean napkins are used at every meal, and
this makes too mnch washing, except where an
establishment is so large that laupdress Is at
tached to it. Soon after being seated at table
and before handling anything else, the napkin
is quietly taken from the ring, opened and spread
: over the lap, and when there is occasion to
wipe the mouth, the napkin should be used AT
the close ofthe repast if ring is furnished, the
napkin should be neatly folded and put through
the ring. Ifthcre is no ring, it may De folded
and laid By the side of the plate, or thrown loose
" by it, according to tho general style IN which
q family i've ths number OF denestlcs, &c 1t