The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-06-19
gle 9ireside.
Pol,teness at the Table.

kOOConeSB dC tIle AdUAC.
We all know how much more comfort
md enjoyment well-appoinSed table
with it's snowy linen, clear glass, bright
silver or plate-can give than one where
no attention is paid to cleanliness, or
der or taste in its daily arrangement
There is, of course, an effort always
made to secure something like neatness
and pleasant appearance when guests
are invited; but il is by the common
home life that one judges of the pecn-
liar characteristics of the mistress of
the house and of her family. With
! some the one prominent idea is to have
an abundance on the table, which must
be cooked in the best manner. How it
is dished, in what shape it comes to the
table, or whether the table is properly
set or the articles on it neat or well
matched, is in their eyes of secondary
importance. Now, this is great mis-
take 1t is important that food should
! be well cooked and as abundant as is
neadful, but we cannot imagine that
one can relish food carelessly thrown
on table, laid in a slovenly manner.
To sit at such table is enough to rob
one of all appetite and 10 make the best
looking in the world distasteful. A
fresh table cloth, neatly arranged, well
cleaned and polished dishes, the mis-
tress and all who gather about her
neetly attired, amiable and respectful in
their manners, will give relish to the
plainest food and less superior cooking
Light hearts, loving words, gentle and
courteous attention, each esteeming the
"other better than themselves" in all
"honor prefcrring one another"-these
are the best appetizers, and will make
more happy homes than the costiesi
dainties poorly served by an irritable,
untidy mistress. and partaken of 10y
selfish, i'll hammered, discourteous
children.
Poor taste aud carolessness in the ar
ranging of the table are bad enough,
but lack of politeness, a display of bad
manners at the table, IS worse. Are
parents less CAREFUL in teaching their
children good manners at the table
than they were years ago? 1t is not
uncommon to see children, from the
oldest to the youngest reach, across the
table and help themselves, instead Of
politely asking for what they require,
and waiting patiently till it can be
served Some children seem to prefer
! to get their food in a rude manner. II
they cannot reach it they stand on the
rounds of their chairs to be able to
stretch further, or leave their chairs and
go round the table for what they want
They drink fast, eat fast, and fill their
m onths so full and so rapidly that if
not choked the wonder is that half the
children do not die of Indigestion.
Why do not all patents look beyond
their children's early days, and see how
awkward they will be when grown up
if allowed to contracts such rude man
ners in childhood? Why not begin
early to teach their little ones to eat
slowly, without any noise, to fold their
napkins, to lay their knives and forks
on their plates in the proper positions
side by side, instead of leaving them on
the table cloth; or thrown carelessly on
the plate? Why not teach them to sit
quietly when they are through their
meals till the rest of the family are
ready to rise, unless the school compels
them to leave earlier? In that case.
why should they not be taught from the
beginning that they should not leave
the table without asking to be excused?
That permission granted, why not teach
them to rise quietly, without pushing
their chairs rudely back, and, on leav>
ing the room, to say "good>morning."
If this was only one of the, little
things which belong to early childhood,
and which would pass off as they giow
older, it cold be endured. But rough,
rude, ill-mannered children seldom
make refined, courteous, respectful men
and women; ;,andiifsof proud, sensi ,
tive nature, and quick to observe, they
will, while recognizing their de6cien-
cies, shrink from being in society, and
become awkward, ill-tempered and
morose men and women.