The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-10
Meals Three Hundred Years Ago.

Let us sit down, in Imagination, at a dinner
IN England three hundred years ago. Mighty
joints oil beef, mutton and veal, boiled and
roast, are accompanied by veal pies. capons
black cocks. chickens, poyers, partridpes two
kinds OF bread-the delicate marchpane and the
ccarser Cneatc; vegetables are almost unknown
IN England, and form no part of the regular
bill OF fare. The FIRST in rank are served. and
the dishes are then passed down in pradatIon
to the lower tables the last remains being
served Tor the poor, who every day await this
beneYolence at the outer gate.
The second course is ushered in in like man.
ner, and Is stlll more plentiful and luxurious
roast swans, Yenlson, pneasants, pulletS snlpe
teal, pigeons. and pastry. The tbird course
rs distinguished by the richness of the sweets:
1ellits in the shape OF animals trees houses
etc; ''subtilty," or elaborate piece of sugar
work, representing, perhaps, "a fortress in NINA.
lure; "tarts OF divers hue aud sundry denomi.
nations" ConsCrvcs OF English and foreign fruits
gingerbread, marmalade, and comfts in endless
variety. The beverage consists OF ale and mead
ana many kinos oil Wine served in silver TANK.
ards and Venetian glasses
The walters ut the Ears tables are gentlemen
oil nigh birth, even che younger sons of noble
men, who are placed there 10 learn domestic
customs. aud all the intricate arrangements of n
large house. Ushers, marshals cuD.bpsrrrs
are ali OF rank; 9nd without the perfect insight
INTO domestic manners they thus practically
obtain, they would he utterly at the mercy
oi their numerous dependents, and unable To
maintain in order the hundred rctatnerS that
may hereafter eat and drink, and b. clothed 80
their expense. when they themselves become the
heaus OF families.
Profound silence IL preserved during dinner
ior II IS the greatest part OF cvihty." save
When some one rises, and, first uncuverIng his
mead, takes u full cup III his hand and setting
MS countenance with grave aspect he Graves
lor audience Siluhcc being once obtained he
begins to breathe out the name, peradyentllrq.
OF some honorable parsonage, whose health rs
Drank to, and be that pledges must likewise off
with his cap. kiss his fingers and bow himself
IN sign OF a revcrent acceptance. And thus the
hrst scene Is acted. The cup being newly re
plenished to the breadth of hair-that is, the
pledser-nust now begin his part, and thus it
goes round throughout the whole company
The banquet over, the guests wash their
men to their wine, as in the present day, the
ladies retire TO amuse themselves with back.
CANNON, cards, ninepins, bowls, and undoubt-
edly the scandal OF Queen EliZabeths court
When the gentlemen have cOntented them
selves with wine well spiced. perhaps the whole
party go on hawking or hunting expedition
or engage i'll Il trial OF skill at archery or II
the company be very numerous and OF high
rank, bull or IA bear may be baited to death
for their amusement, the fair ladies enjoying il
quite as mucn as the spanish beauties OF the
present day, At O'clock supper Is served IN
the great hall, and resembles the dinner on
much smaller scale. After supper the company
amuse themse elves with dancing, chess, draughts
qai fray (hot hockle), or tiers Obi nd mans
bull }, and other games, now numbered only
among the sports of young children. At 10
the heu summons to the chapel. PRAYERS are
said by the chaplain, and the household sepa-
rates tor the night.