Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-02
Table Manners.

There are some who insist that when q
plate is sent to be replenished the knife aud
fork must be laid together on the plate. But
we are happy to say that idea is being gen.
orally discarded. If the plate is pas
sed thus encumbered it would be a mar
VEL even with the best trained servants, il
accidents did not often occur, and usually
under the most Notifying circumstances.
A quick movement Of the arm which just
touches the walters as the plate is taken
would most likely send greasy knife or
fork off the plate into lady's lap or gen.
tleman's coat.
The knife and fork should be taken from
the plate when it is passed, and either held
in the hand or laid down with the tips rest
ing on the solitaire, butter plate or piece
of bread. The last way is less awkward
and much more convenient than holding them
in the hand. When tho plate is no longer
needed, lay the knife and fork Oh it together,
with the handles turning the same way, aud
the points of the fork laid downward.
Little mistakes and occasionally troub-
lesome accident may occur at the table par
ticulary where there are guests, either
through carelessness or difidence ON the part
of the host or guest, and sometimes they are
Of the most embarrassing nature. But for
the sake of all concerned, it is best to meet
such infelicities with equal vigor and self
possession. The more awkward and morti-
flying the accident, the greater need of calm
ness, not indifference. Pass your own part
of the trouble off with a smile, but let all
the feeling which will find utterance be shown
in the kindest manner to the one causing the
accident, or the one who suffers the most by
it, if other than yourself. If the accident
occurred through the carelessuess of host or
hostess, or stupidity or Ignorance of the
waiter, continual reference to it and apollo
gies keep the matter before the mind and
enhance the evil. If one of the guests is
the sufferer, common kindness and sympathy
for the culprit will lead him to pass the mat.
ter over lightly or with but few quiet
words, sufficient to lessen the embarrass-
ment the host and hostess must feel. We
once saw plate of soup poured across the
sleeve aud skirt of the elegant dress, as one
next to the lady inadvertently raised hi:
arm Just as the waiter was removing thC
plate The hostess, for the moment, lost hel
seli.possession, and, greatly disturbed, hast,
tened, with many explanations, to assist the
waiter to remedy what in calmer moment
she would have seen was passed help. But
the owner of the dress with quiet smile
begged the hostess to be seated, gently re.
questing the waiter to resume his work, and,
taking her napkin, wiped off what she could
without disturbing her neighbors; then,
drawing light shawl over the dress as if
nothing had gone amiss, resumed the con-
versation which had been interrupted. Quiet
self.possession under such circumstances is
not hypocrisy, but kind and proper regard
for the comfort of others.
Smacking the lips when eating, making
needless and unpleasant sounds with the
mouth at the table, are contrary to all rules
aud exceedingly ill-bred and dsagreeable
1t is ill.maunored anywhere, but at the table
so offensive as to destroy all comfort.
Reaching across tho table, helping one:
self with ones own knife and fork, are among
the improprietics that can hardly be excused
in good society.
Whispering at the table is offeusive-dis
respectful alike to the host and hostess and
their guests, if there are any. Let the con
versation be general, and as far as possible
of q nature to interest all. If from tht
forced secusion incident to ill health OIL
from natural difidence one ia dslnclned to
bear part in the conversation, it is bu
showing suitable respect to those who are
talking to be at least an attentive listener
1t is rude to sit silent, il one does not by al
attentive manner show that the conversation
is followed and fully appreciated. Yawn'
ing and restlessness during the conversation
are very disrespectful,-MrS. Henry Warc
Beecher in Christian Union.