Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-03-27
Table Etiquette.

oiieis ms arm 10 the lady OF most dis
tinction, and leads the way, inviting the
rest to follow. The lady Of the house
follows next, with the gentleman most
entitled to that honor. The number of
guests at dinner party, should always
be determined by the size of the table.
A space of two feet should be allowed to
each person. 1t is well to arrange par
ty in such way, that the number of
ladies and gentlemen shall be equal. The
lady of the house takes the head of the
table. The gentleman who led her down
to dinner, occupies the seat at her right
hand. The master of the house takes
the foot of the table, and the lady he es-
corted sits on his right hand.
And here let us speak good word for
that much abused lady, Madam Fashion,
who, though going from one degree to
another, in the matter of dress and per-
sonal adornments, has entered the dining
room, with the determination of redeem
ing her character by banishing therefrom
many foolish and unpleasant customs
which once belonged to table etiquette.
Formerly, it was the invariable custom
for the fowl, joint, or other like dish, to
be placed upon the table, precisely as it
left the cooks hands, and after the guests
had taken their respective places, and
grace said, the master of the house pro-
ceeded, carving knife in hand, to distri-
butte to each one his chosen portion, in
due season, cutting the same, piece by
piece, from the carcass or part Of one be-
fore him, the guests meanwhile slipping
their tea and making spasmodic, and Of
tentimes fertile efforts at conversation,
to relieve the awkwardness of their po-
sition while waiting for their plates to
he supplied
Now this custom more honored in the
breach than in the observance any time
would be more tolerable if the host was
IN every case " master of the situation" !"
and able to supply his guests in neat
and expeditions manner; but if otherwise
he could hardly be placed in a more en-
barrassing position, and many luckless
wight, whose experience in this respect
was none of the pleasantest, has read the
admiration and envy of the GOODNESS of
the person who, while attempting to dis
sect the body of rather ancient goose
at dinner table, by an awkward blow,
sent the aforesaid bird the lap of one
of the lady guests, when, without being
in the least disconnected, he Immediately
accosted her in the blandest manner DOS.
sible, " madame, I'll thank you for that
goose"
The art of carving with all requisite
skill and dexterity, cannot be called a
difficult one to attain, and yet no one
at all conversant with the subject, will be
surprised at the assertion, that not one
man in ten has acquired this art to an
extent which will enable him to handle
the carving-knife at dinner party, with
out exhibiting more or less awkwardness
and restraint. Hence, probably, arose
the sensible custom, now quite prevalent,
of preparing all the dishes of the several
courses before they are placed upon the
table. We gladly welcome this innova-
ton to our dining room, as we do, here
and elsewhere, all others whose tendency
is to Danish undue formality from our oc
casions of social intercourse.
Another custom which is happily dis.
appearing from our tables, is that Of let.
ting the plate remain untouched after il
has been supplied with food, until all the
guests have been thus treated, and the
host sets the example by commencing tc
eat. When the carving, ETC., has been
performed at side table, and everything
is in readiness before the company il
seated, much of the awkardness of this
custom is avoided, but in all cases it i.
decidedly more appropriate, and-luckily
fashionable, for each one to commenc,
eating as soon as helped.
If soup forms a part of the meal, il
should always be placed on the table first
1t is usually dished by the lady of the
house. In helping to soup, fish, or in
fact any dish, remember that to overfll
plate is as bad as to supply it too scan
tily. E
Never offer to pass to another the plat.
to which you have been helped. 1t i.
the business of the host, or his lady, I,
supply the guests, and it is in exceedingl,
bad taste to thus publicly ignore theil
privilege to make such disposition of tn.
viands at their own table, as they may
choose If requested to assist them that
is another thing. but never profer such
: assistance, =