The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-04-29
JACKSON STANDARD.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1869.


TIE Tla6Ie Order and Ornament {
Sot6e ARTICLES with the above head
ink have already been given. They
were begun with view of introduc-
ing the matter of simple Ornamental
ton of the table, division Of The sub.
iect which has not yet been reached.
1t seems that what little has l'een said
upon order has touched 4 point upon
which our readers are interested. And
why should they not be? If there is
anything upon which good house,
keeper prides herself, it is her table,
and if there is anything about that
that IL worthknowing which she does
not,kno@, she is ready to learn We
do not aim at introducing any "wrin.
kles" to induce "plain people" to i'm
itate what are called fashionable folks.
Our idea is to give such hints as will
enable every one, no matter what her
condition as to wealth may be, to make
the best of what she has. Ifthe house
keeper who lives in d log house in a
Western clearing has put her pork and
beans on neatly arranged table, and
had them served with order and pro.
priety, she has done her best, and need
not be ashamed should the President
himself'happen along at dinner time.
Whatever there may be for dinner or
other meal, and whoever may be the
accidental guest, don't apologize. 1t
places all parties in an unpleasant pos
ition, and does no good. Give the
guest the best there is; serve pork and
beans or other plain food with as much
attention as if it were the choicest dish;
and if the guest cannot appreciate the
hospitality be is not worthy of further
thought. Several letters have been re-
ceived asking questions concerning the
table, to some OF which we briefly re-
ply. (which is the head of the tableg'
One lady claims that her end is the
head, and her husband differs from her
It is delicate matter to decide between
husband and wife; we will only state
that we were brought up 10 the nation
that the husband was the head of tht
family, and with this view the plac,
where he sits would be the head of ih,
table. If this does not satisfy our in
quiring friend, she must defer the mat
ter to the next Woman's Rights Con
vention. "How should guests be seat
edR-asks another, If the guest is
gentleman, his seat should be at tn
right hand of the lady of the house
and if a lady, her place is at the righ
Of the head Of the family. This is tn
proper way, but circumstances ma,
modify it, as in families where there ar
young children for the mother to 10 ol
after, and who must consequently b
near her. All such matters depend up
on circumstances. Where there ar
several guests, and strict etiquette is OBJ
served, the host asks the gentlemaI
who is to be particularly honored t,
wait upon his wife to the table, Will
he takes the lady who is to sit at hi
right hand. Where there are sewers
visitors, other things being equal, tn
most attention is shown to the great
est stranger, but age--if there b
marked distinctions in this raspect-
takes precedence Of everything else
No matter how distinguished" ma
be the other persons present, the ol
gentleman or lady should have tn
place ofhonoE "Should milk and 81
gar,be passed for each one to use in b
or her own tea or coffee, or should.th
lady ofthe house add them 7"--This
q question upon which we know sensi
blepeople TO differ. Some ladies thin
1t their prerogative to prepare the Gu
before it is passed. Our own notion
incline the other way. Some take the
tea and coffee dressed" and othe
like Il barefoot" as We once heard
backwoodsman express the different
between coffee with sugar aud mill
and without. Some take milk and 4
sugar, and Vice versa and again, tastl
differ very much as to the quantity {
these additions. We know of one pei
SON who does not consider his cofFe
as sweetened unless he can dip u
some undissolved sugar from the bot
tom ofhis cup. The only objection W
have heard to passing the milk an
sugar is that it is "too hotel like"
hotels have found out how their guest
are best suited, it seems to us an argu
ment in favor of the practice, rath'
than aginst +. Those who adyoca
the propriety Of seasoning" tea ar
coffee by the lady of the hou
have the majority with them, but '
think the other method worthy Of col
sideratiOn by those who would Consr
the comfort Of those who sit at thu
tables at any rate its adoption won
avoid the often repeated, "Is yopr I
agreeable i"--American AgricuIturiSt.