The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-01-13
How to Behave at Table.

Upon taking your seat, your first du-
ty should be to inspect the cutlery. If
the knives bear Rogers stamp, for in
stance, sound the praises of the Meri-
den manufacture.
This will cause others to examine
their knives. They will marvel at your
practical knowledge.
And you will live long in the memory
of your hostess.
When soup lis served, opportunity
will present itself to show your superior
attainments in gastronomy.
Confdentially inform your cts-a-els,
in voice sufficiently loud to be heard all
around the table, that Bouilleboi is the
only person you ever knew who would
make soup fit to eat
Every eye will be turned toward you
in alteration.
Your hostess will feel sort of reflect
ed greatness in having one so gifted
condescend to grace her humble board.
Then blow into your soup as though
you were under contract to furnish mo-
tive power for windmill.
Thus you will show your naughty
contempt for conventionalities.
For q 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 picturesque.
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 leis-
ure.
You will resemble the sleight-of-h hand
performer pulling ribbons from his
mouth.
Always eat with your knife, and
close your lips tightly about it when
you withdraw it from your mouth.
This will keep your knife clean dur
ing 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 left-hand as well as your
right-hand neighbor.
You can make yourself still more
agreeable by watching your opportuni-
ties in conversation.
When gentleman has transferred
forkful of food from his plate to his
mouth, address him suddenly.
1t is very instructive to see gentle
man try to talk with his mouth full.
1t is very amusing to see a gentle
man half choked in his endeavor to get
his mouthful of food out of the way,
that he may answer you.
OF course you will eat all the while
you are talking, and talk while you eat.
Thus will you pay delicate COM
pliment to your hostesss cook, show
your social qualities, and prevent others
possibly, from eating more than is
good for them.
If pudding is served, say it doesn't !
agree with you.
But eat of it just the same, and call
for more.
And here is an admirable opportunity |
to dilate upon the idiosyncrasies of your
digestive apparatus.
The noblest study of mankind is man. |
If pudding is not forthcoming, re-
mark upon the singular idea some peo-
pie have that pudding may be omitted |
from dinner without running that din
ner for people no understand such |
things.
When the pie comes, peep under it, |
or turn it over like griddle cake.
This especially where the lady of the |
house does her own baking.
If tho 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 lady makes slip in her
cooking, she likes to be told of it
publicly. l'.
Coffee should be drunk from the |
saucer. as though it were an oyster in
its shell.
This gives you iaunty air.
If at a private table, never pass any
thing to your neighbor.
You may want all there is yourself
Never hesitate to ask for what you
cannOt reach