Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-08-25
TABLE ETIQUETTE.
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dlU lOdo1 OuO WnlCu tlAC vi IuO III 81
importance, as they concern indi-
vidual behavior. We would be in
clined to think every one acquainted
with them, and allusion to them a
matter Of supererogation on our
part, if it were not that we see
them so frequently violated. Those
Of our readers who are, or have al
ways been familiar with them, will
perhaps pardon our speaking Of
them for the sake of those who are
not.
We do not expect to see these
gaucheries in the best society; but
there are many people perfectly well
fitted for the best society but for
ignorance concerning these things,
which, although trifles in them
selves, are Of such infinite import
ance on the whole. For instance,
where all the requirements are not
fully known, if a general cessation
Of conversation should suddenly
superyene upon the serving Of
the soup, would there be silence
in the place? Not at all ;
the gap would be filled with
a continuous bubbling sound
from the mouth Of some one or
other unlucky wight, whose mother
never taught him to take soup
pr, perly, and who is possibly dis
turbing and disgusting all those
that do better and who know how
easily the trouble might be avoided.
Soup is to be taken from the side
of the spoon, not from the tip, and
it is not to be sucked in, but the
spoon slightly tilted it is rather
poured into the mouth than other
wise, the slightest silent inhalation
being sufficient for the rest.
Another generally neglected OBJ
| legation is that Of spreading butter
on ones bread as it lies on ones
plate, or but slightly lifted at one
end from the plate; it is very FIRE.
quently buttered in the air, bitter
in gouges, and still held in the face
and eyes of the table with the
marks of the teeth on it. This is
certainly not altogether pleasant
and it is better to cut it a bit at {
time, after buttering it, and put
fiece by piece in the mouth with
ones finger and thumb.
| Let us mention few things con
cerning the eating Of which there
is sometimes doubt. A cream CAKE
and anything Of similar nature
should be eaten with knife ant
fork, never bitten. Asparagus
which should always be served OF
bread or toast, so as to absorb SUI
perfluous moisture-may be taker
from the finger and thumb; if i
is fit to be set before yor
the whole of it may bt
eaten. Peas and beans, as we al
know, require the fork only, Pota
toes, if mashed, should be mashed
with the fork. Green corn should
be eaten from the cob, but it mus
be held with a single hand, anC
not after the fashion Of the alder
mans wife at the lord mayors din
ner. French artichokes are to bt
eaten with the fingers, slightly
pulled apart at the top and one o
the leaves pulled out with fingel
and thumb; the feshy end Of thil
leaf is then dipped in the salat
served with it, and only that atom
of Il paler color at the bottom o
the leaf is taken as it peels off be
tween the lips, when the dry por.
ton is to be laid back in the plate
1t is always served as a separate
course by itself; pretty hand looks
very pretty indeed when lingering
Il French artichoke. Celery, crosses
radishes and all that sort of thing
are, of course, to be eaten from the
fingers; the salt should be laid upon
ones plate, not upon the cloth
Fish is to be eaten with the fork,
without the assistance of the knife,
Il bit Of bread in the left hand
sometimes helps one to master i
refractory morSel.
1t is best to be very moderate in
the beginning Of a dinner, as one
does not know what is to follow
and all the rest may be spoiled fol
one by an opposite course. We
remember the case of lady in
Mexico, who, dining with the gov
ernor Of the province, was served fol
the first course with a hash. She
was somewhat surprised; but II
was very good hash, and she real
ly made her dinner upon it. But
the next course was also hash
there were seventeen courses Of
hash before the main dinner, o.
every delicious delicacy under the
sun, made its appearance o.
course a tiny morsel of each hash,
for the sake of the havoring, was al
she should have taken; as it was
she sat aftelward like Tantalus.
Berries, Of course, are to be eaten
with a spoon. In England they arc
served with their hulls on, anC
three or four are considered an am.
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