Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-04-26
How 10 RehaHe nd TabIe.

How 70 Behave at Table.
Boston Transcript
Upon taking your seat, your first
duty should be to inspect the cutlery.
II the knives bear Rogers stamp for
instance, sound lie praises of the Me-
ridian manufacture.
This will cause others to examine
their knives. They will marvel at
your practical knowledge.
And you will live long in the mem
DRY of your hostess.
When soup is served, opportunity
will present itself to show your supe-
riOr attainment in gastronomy.
C~onidentially inform your Wis a Wis,
in voice sufficiently loud to be heard
all around the table, that BOuilleboi
is the only person you ever knew who
could make soup fit to eat.
Every eye will be turned toward
you in alteration.
Your hostess will feel a sort of re-
hected greatness in having one so
gifted condescend to grace her hum
Bile board.
Then blow into your soup as though
you were under contract to furnish
motive power for a windmill.
Thus you will show your naughty
contempt for conventionalities.
For a similar reason, you will eat
from the point of your spoon.
This movement will make you look
like the sword swallower.
Your appearance will be pictur-
eslue.
Your elbow will threaten your
right hand neighbor's eye.
In eating fish, whip as big a piece
as you can into your mouth, and then
pick out the bones one by one at your
leisure.
You will resemble the sleight-of-
hand performer pulling ribbons from
his mouth.
Always eat with your knife, and
close your lips tightly aoout it when
you withdraw it from your mouth.
This will keep your knife clean du-
ring the whole meal.
Cleanliness is next to godliness, you
know.
With the meats comes an excellent
opportunity to exhibit your gymnastiC
attainments.
You will make yourself respected
now by your leit.hand as we'll as YOU
right-hand neighbor.
You will make yourself still more
agreeable By watching your opportuni
ties in conversation.
When a gentleman has transferred
a fork full Of food from his plate tC
his mouth address him suddenly.
1t is very amusing to see a gentle.
man half choked in his endeavor t.
get his mouthful of food out of the
way, that he may answer you.
Of course you will eat all the while
you r talking, and talk while you
eat.
Thus will you pay a delicate compli.
ment to your hostess cook, show your
social qualities, and prevent others
possibly, from eating more than il
good for them.
Ifpudding is served, say it doesn't
agree with you.
But eat oft just the same and cal
for more.
And here is an admirable oppOrtu,
nifty to dilate upon the idiosyncrasies
OF your digestive apparatus.
The noblest study of mankind il
man.
If pudding is not Forthcoming, re-
mark upon the singular idea some
people have that pudding may BE-
omitted from a dinner without ruin
ing that dinner for people who under
stood such things.
When the pie comes, peep under it
or turn it over like a griddle-cake.
This especially where the lady Of
the house does her own baking.
1.-THE pie is underdone, it would be
the right thing to mention the fact.
If it be done too brown, say some.
thing appropriate to the occasion.
When a lady makes a slip in hel
cooking, she likes to be told Of it pub.
licly.
Coffee should be drunk from the
saucer, as though it we're an oyster il
its shell.
This gives you a jaunty air.
If at a private table, never pass any.
thing to your neighbor.
You may want all there is your.
Never hesitate to ask for what you
cannot reach.
You love to wait upon yourself.
Others must love to wait on you.