Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-01-26
A Random Letter From the Goose
quill of Mrs. Chcesclvicks.

quill OF Mrs. ChceSclvickS.
We incidentally took up an old copy
of the GRAPHIC not long since, when
our eyes alighted on the well remem-
berea letter written by Preplexed
Housekeeper. 1t astonised US SO
much when we first read it, to learn,
that any one living IN the country in
the county of Adair, Mo-, should be so
persevering in her efforts to maintain
her own self respect, the refine
ments of life a.; to 'put flowers on her
table at every meal" amid the adverse
influences by which one is here sur
rounded. We appreciate her love of
flowers, and her desire to inculcate
love of beauty and refinement in her
ia mily, bnt We must also confess to a
sharp pang OF regret and sympathy for
those who have been reared in homes
ofluxury and elegance-where the soul
could revel in the beauties of both
nature and art, and then by means of
an unfortunate marriage or the changes
of tickle tortune-condemned to BAN
ishment from all these delights. When
we witness so much happiness and
content that Is born OF ignorance, we
are sometimes almost led to exclaim
"If ignorance is bliss tits folly to be
WISE" Her reques: for instructions
with regard to setting a table sounded
little strange in this free and easy
country where the majority Of tables
are set in the hap hazard hit or miss
style. According to our belief TIE
main points in setting, or laying table
as 1t Is called in arristocratic circles
were established long before the
days of our Grandmolhers, for they
ca.ne into use by the law both OF
necessity and convenience, and for the
same reasons must continue in force.
The first requisite for the table is
dining-room. A small room can be
made to answer for small family, and
screens should be up 10 keep out flies.
The table could then stand in its APP
pointed place, the cloth thoroughly
brushed and the clean dishes replaced
upon it in readiness for the next meal.
This saves a great deal of trouble.
Husband and wife should sit opposite
each other, either at each end or at
each side of the table, as preferred.
AT her place is the waiter with its
complement of silver, china, or porce-
lain, for the serving of .ea or coffee;
the service should consist of tea urn
or coffee pot, cups and saucers, sugar
and slop bowl, cream pitcher, and the
plate for the lady's use. Before the
gentleman's plate should be placed the
meat platter with the Unnecessary carving
knife and fork and steel, and on either
side of this, place the dishes ofvegeta-
bles. The gravy dish should be either
near this, or to one side to be served BY
some member of the family.
Right here comes in very import
tant point, if the master of the house
is also master of the situation, and can
WELD the carver with ease, dignity, and
dispatch. He should place his children
both girls and boys, IN his place by turns
and should both instruct and give them
practice until they could both carve
and serve all kinds of dishes readily
and without embarrassment. We have
seen finely educated young men SUBJ
jected to extreme modification when
called upon to carve turkey.
Besides these there should be placed
the plate, knives and forks, and ever
essen,ia! napkins. The manner of
placing knives and forks may change
at nmes and is mostly a mater of
taste, but there is vast difference be-
tween placing them with care ana just
throwing them oa any way, and the
prettiest way We think is to place them
across the top of the plate which is
tur;.ed upside down, and the napkin, if
there is no ring, can be placed on the
top OF the plate If there is castor it |
usually stands in the middle of the table. |
The butter dish and knife are ;nvari-
ably allotted the post of honor-the |