The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1858-12-09
o he y nnsehnla.
Setting out a Table. Hints on Deport-
ment while at the Table, &c.

The following treatise on setting out table
Hints ON Department while at the table, &C.,
we Copy from the American Agriculturst, to-
gether with the Editors remarks prefacing the
first article. It is from the pen of Anna Hope,
and We deem it valuable contribution, for white
there are many things treatise Of not altogether
in common use, yet nevertheless we think it viii
be read with pleasure and profit, as we like to
increase our knowledge, and appear well in any
society in which we may be thrown We cannot
avail ourselves of the illustrations accompanying
the article, for the reason that we have no plate
of it.
young Housekeeper in the Vest writes
us to the following effect any parents moved
from New England to Indiana before was born
and they settled in heavily wooded locality
where it took twenty years of hard labor to get
the stumps out, the farm paid for, and good
house fitted up to live in. My Mother died be-
fore we girls had scarcely learned to "keep
house." but we did the best we could, and kept
our home with our father and brothers. You
viii of course conceive that we had little oppor-
tunity to learn hoao other people managed ; and
many and long were the chats we sisters had
about how to set out our table neatly, and how
to wait upon it correctly, when we expected
company. Well, have now married and come
further West and being in good circumstances
often have company whom would like to enter
tain III good style. Now have for years looked
to the Agriculturast as guide, not only in the
| Il L,,4 H.
Clog house, and remembering that several years
since your contributor ANNA HOPE, gave us some
good advice, on setting out table, it occurred
to me to suggest that you would do special
favor, not to me only, but to many country house
keepers, and country girls too, if you would ask
Anna H., to give US from time to time further
minute directions, not only upon setting table
but also on matters pertaining to household
etiquette. Excuse the suggestion, but please
respond to it if you find it consistent to do
so. :"
We have often thought Of this subject and are
thankful to Young Housekeeper," for calling
our attention to it. We forwarded her letter to
Anna Hope, and are happy to give the following
response.
1t always gives me pleasure to learn thatwhat
I have written has been of use. and has met the
wants of any individual do not consider it a
small matter to have been a friend to mother
less daughter, and to have aided her in her efforts
for improvement These Incidental rewards,
which come to us from time to time, are among
the sweetest and most precious we receive; and
it is impossible not to look upon those persons
who thus welcome US, as personal friends am
particularly interested in farmers families. My
grandfather was farmer on the very outskirts Of
civilization, so far toward the cold North, that
the smoke of no white mans chimney curled uI
to heaven between him and Canada. My father
although by profession lawyer, was farmer
also, and did more for agricultural improvement
than almost any other man in his native state
| have inherited his love for mother earth, and
his respect for those who till the soil, and it af
fords me true pleasure to comply with the Request
of g A Young Housekeeper" presented through
our friend, the editor of the Ag71culturist.
1t is impossible not to form an opinion of the
cultivation of family from the appearance ofthe
table. If there is nothing but mnsh-and-m
upon it, good taste will impart grace which is
as obvious, as in the getting up of an elaborate
dinner Simplicity and vulgarity are as far re-
moved from each other as possible. In familie;
of ordinary means simplicity is always desira
BILE and | shall have nothing to say to those
who keep a retinue of servants, and sit down tt
dine with only flowers on the table-the courses
of meat, &C., being on the side-board or side
table. Nor shall have word now to say fol-
those who have more than one course of meat
followed by dessert.
THE TABLE.
! have sketched table on which have ar
ranged simple dinner, in style suitable for
family keeping one or two domestics, or none
! have placed the soup on the table with tn
meat, although if there be any one whose business
it is to wait upon the table, it is better to haV
soup served alone, the meat and vegetables bein:
brought on when that is removed. The lady
of the house distributes the soup. The SOU
| plates should be placed before each person, ant
not in pile by the tureen. As each one fnishe
his soup, his plate may be removed by the waite
and plate for the meat set before him, Hther'
is no waiter it is better for each one to retain hi
plate till all have laid down their spoons, ant
then one of the family can quietly put them aside
There should always be regularity in the laying
ola table The dishes should not look as athey
had fallen down like hail-stones, wherever it may