The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-08
Table Manners.


81 ANNA X. LErEILIER.
Lonely Tom suggests some articles on
]etiauette. | think hi suggestion very
opportune and shall respond to 1t by
giving a little talk on table manners.
OF the meetings in the home-life
none should be more orderly or enjoy
able than those around the family
board. Unless politeness BE- shown by
each member of a family III the smallest
things such will never be "A place where
al love to co~ncregate. To begin with
the first meal OF the day, breakfast.
No one should enter the breakfast room
until the toilet has been neatly made
III every particular-no matter how
simple or plain, it should be tastidious-
" neat. Then let no member of the
family neglect to give a pleasant "Good
morning little inquiries about the
health. or how one rested. add 10 the
inside brightness. and warm the heart
for the day. NIany parents seem to
think it not at all necessary to tram
children about their manner 81 eating.
imagining they viii acquire such habits
when older. \ greater mistake could
not he made. Let the children eat 1t
the first table, where they can see and
hear polItene>s, and where they feei
thcy are watched by mother.
Very Young children can be trained
to eat entirely with a fork and hold It
properly. II you please and thank
you should H. insisted upon. 10 not
allow noise made by chewing, or III
using a spoon when slipping soup. or
a, lr-,,rl ~ ~. .hIlj..I. t-t,nY- rbaI-
must wait quietly until ali older persons
are helped. Should a child become IN
ruIy al the table Go not attempt - con
qucr it there to the discomfort If every
one. but quietly take 1t into another
room and leave il until conquered. |
have been iii families where the table
was supplied with everything tempting.
and yet no enjoyment could be obtained
on account Of the noise and confusion
caused BY the unframed. impolite chill
dren. They should be required to sit
still and not talk unless some older per
son wishes to have them talk. Often
none bat the children car get ina word.
1t is line upon line and precept
upon preccpt in teaching children
Table Manners. Vet nothing will
stamp the lady or gentleman upon
them quicker when grown, than the
result Of such training perfect Table
manners. Here IS Il nice opportunity
for old sisters they can assist so much
in trainin" the younger brothers and
sisters. The evening meal should be
the bright in-gathering OF the family.
where Ill are careful not to say or do
anything To ~irritate tired father, or
gricye the weary mother, Do not ii
lule to the unpleasant occurrences Of
the day. but prate only of happy,
cheerful things. Little trials make the
k~indme>ses the happiness. and no where
do thcy seem more tit than 1T the table.
Younger persons should show them to
the older; and the older ones to the
younger. Children initiate closely, and
learn by example sooner than preccnt.
SO. here Is Il great incentive to parents
to Herer crow careless towards each 9th
CT and drop the sweet courteSies OF life.
because only home folks are present.
losing sight OF the fact that precious
little unframed ears are listening, and
eyes watching. ready TO follow eyeky
word or act, good or bad, polite or rude.
that strangers viii always judge the
parent by the child.
1t viii not do to lay down table rules.
insist upon them for a few days ana
then forget all about them. No slack
ening should be allowed even once, but
bring each member up to the require
ments at each meal. In after life no
picture on memory wall Is %oftener
turned too, or more cherished, than the
picture OF the childhood home-tabie
with its neatness, order. po!iteness,
pleasant chat, and mother and father
presiding. | want each boy and Girl
who reads the JourRal to begin imme-
diatcly to improve their table manners.
and acquire more all the time. 1t will
always be = passport into good society.
and well repay the constant watchtui-
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