Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-06-06
ETIQUETTE OF TIE NApKfM


The law of the napkin is but vaguely
understood. One of our esteemed met
ropolitan contemporaries informs an
eager inquirer that it is a bad form to
old the napkin after dinner; that the
proper thing is to throw it with negli-
gent disregard on the table beside the
plate, as to fold it would be a reflection
on the host, and imply familiarity that
would not benefit an invited guest. But
the thoughtful reader will agree with us
that this studied disorder is likely to be
good deal more trying to fastidious
hostess than an unstudied replacing of
the napkin in good order beside the WIS.,
itor's plate. For, when the dinner nap
kin is laid aside, there is the fruit or
dessert napkin to replace it. Fancy the
appearance of pretty decorated table
with heaps of rumpled linen disfguring
the symmetrical y-arranged spaces be-
twixt the sherry, champagne and bur-
gundy glasses-to say nothing of the
deliberately decorated China and silver
bouquetieres 1t could be construed
as nothing less than gross ill-breedlng
to fling the voluminous napkin OF mod
ern use among such crystalline and
argentine beauty. The proper thing is
to fold the fabric with transformations
care and lay it on the left of the plate
far from the liquids, liquors and coffee,
and thus testify to the hostess that her
,are in preparing the table has been ap-
preciated. The true rule would be to
endeavor to leave tine original gracious
finish of the table as distinct when the
dinner ends as when the soup was served.
The napkin has played famous parts
in the fortunes of men and women. 1t
was said of Beau Brummel and the mag
nifcent George, Prince Regent, that
they could make the uses of this peculiar
luxury as potent III the graces of social
symposium as Cleopatra the gorgeous
wealth of Ormus or Ind. 1t was one of
the points admired in Marie Stuart that,
thanks to her exquisite breeding in the
court of Marie de Medici, her table was
more imposing than the full court of her
great rival and executioner, Elizabeth.
At the table of the latter the rudest
forms we're maintained, the dishes were
served on the table, and the great Queen
helped herself to the platter without
fork or spoon, page standing behind
her with silver ever to buthe her
fingers when the flesh had been torn
from the roasts. At the court c{ the
late empire Eugene was excessively
fastidious. The use of tho napkin, and
the manner Of eating au egg, made or
ruined the career of guest. The great
critic, Sainte Beuve, was disgraced and
left off The visiting list because, at a
breakfast with the Emperor and En-
press, at the Tuileries, he care|essly
opened his napkin and spread it over his
two knees, and cut his egg in two in the
middle. The court etiquette prescribed
that the half-folded napkin should lie OIL
the left knee, to be used in the least OBJ
trusive manner in touching the lips, anC
the egg was to be merely broken on the
larger end with the edge of the spooI
and drained with its tip. The truth is
luxury and invention push table appli
ances 80 far that few can be expected t,
know the particular convention tina
may be considered good form in any di
versiied society. The way for young
fellow to do is to keep his eyes open
which, unless he is in love, he can do
and note what others do. If he be il
love, all departure from current form
will be pardoned him, for, as all tn
, world loves a lover, all the world ex
cuses his shortcomings. -Philadelphi,
Times.