Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-03-30

Tsh's Etiquette Five DssArsA Years sse.
Five hundred years ago, when the
battles Of Greasy and Poictiers had just
been fought-ere printing hsd been
invented or America discovered, and
before Ch.uces had written his Csnter-
bu Tai, at this time some philan-
throphic individual, whose name has
passed away into the darkness OF ages,
wa. seized with the idea Of writing
Boke Of Curtayse, or what would be
called in the present day the 'Hentle-
mans Pocket Companion"
This curious manuscript was found,
10, after centuries, and incorporated
with the Sloan MSS, which now be
long TO the British museum. A few
years since it was bar'ed out of its
dusty obscnrity, and printed exclusive
" for the members Of club of literary
antiquarians. But few copies were
printed, SO that the one we have in
our possession may be considered
almost as good AS manuscript.
The work is divided into three parts
and contains in all some eight hundred
and fifty lines. The first part treats Of
behavior at table, the second treats
principally Of the moral obligation,
whilst the third gives special directions
as to the duties Of the different Offices
around great mans house. Where
we have to use the words Of the old
author we shall modernize them a
much as POSSIBILITY. y. Post.
Whose will learn Of curtasye (saith
the writer) may find it in this book
whether he be gentleman yeoman or
knave. When thou come to lords
gate thou must leave thy weapon with
the porter at the gate, and ask leave
to speak with those within, after
which thou must be patient:
For II he be Of high degree,
Then kim falls u come to the;
II he be gentleman Of kim
The porter will lead thee to him.
Take oil thy gloves and thy hood
at the hall door, and If the company
be at meat, salute the steward, coun-
sellor, and Treasurer, then bow with
out noise to the gentlemen sitting at
the right and left Of the hall. Stand
before the screen until the marshal or
usher bid the sit at the table, when act
quietly and dccently.
Pare thy bread in two, the upper
crust from the under. Cut the upper
portion into four quarters, and set
them together as if whole. Cut the
lower crust in three, turn it down and
laylt before thy trencher. Sit uoright,
nor touch any wine, drink or ale, until
thy mess of meat be offered thee, lest
men say thou art glutton. Keep thy
nails clean lest thy neighbor be dis
gusted.
Bite not thy bread and lay 1t down,
That Is no cOurtssye TO us. In town;
But break rs much rs thou wilt eat,
The remnant for the poor thou shalt let
s'8at in peace, and avoid di putes and comes.
Let never thy cheek be made u great
With IN Irsel o. bread that thon shalt eat;
An apes mouth men ray he makes
That bread and flesh in his cheeks bake',
DO not laugh or speak with thy
mouth full, nor sup thy porridge noise
ly. Let not thy spoon stand in thy
dish, nor lay it on thy dish side, but
clennse it. Soil not the cloth with
thy fingers. Wipe thy mouth ere
drinking. Call not for dish that has
been taken from the table. Spit not
on the board, nor play with thy dog.
From the direction relative to clean
ing the nose at table, it seems pocket
handkerchief and napkins we're not in
fashion, as the diner is directed to
wipe his fingers in his tippet or his
skirt.
"Ceanse n Ut thy !, 9Th at meat sitting
With knife nor straw, stick dor wand,
Whilst lion bold mea. In thy mouth beware
To drink, that Is unhones IT chetr,
And also physic forbids IL,
And says thou may be Choked BY that bite;
II It 20 thy throat rong into
And stop thy wind thou art fordo.
Don't tell scandalous tales at table:
don't stroke the cat. Avoid fouling
the board cloth with thy knife. Blow
not on thy meat, nor eat with thy
knife. Wipe not thy teeth with the
board cloth. Lean not on thine elbow,
nor dip thy thumb into thy drink
Dip not thy fish or meat into the salt
cellar. Spit not in the basin where
thou washest after meat, nor spit like
vagabond at any time.