, 1884-06-22
The Colonel on Table Manners

tChicago Herald.l
II rave heard" said the colonel, "of a
gentleman, freguenting n certain restaurant
on Dearborn street, who Us regular as clock
work picks up his napkin after he sits down
and wipes his neck and face with 1t. He
then stuffs one end into his shirt collar to
shield his manly breast Guests have grown
accustomed TO watch his performances. That,
OF course, is n monstrum of bad manners.
"A gentleman who is invited TO dinner or
luncheon party should be punctual, in the
first place. Louis XIV, the great French
autocrat, mny have been a bad man, but ho
had most undoubtedly good manner We.
owe him the nice bon mot: 'Punctnality Is
the politeness of kings Contrary to this,
some people think it good manners not to be
ION time, but this is a bad mistake. II every
guest were punctual to the minute, hostess
and host would be relieved of n great deal OF
embarrassment. In the dining-room the
gentlemen should not seat them
selves before all the ladies are seated. That
includes the ladies' of the household, II the
occasion is a private dinner. As a matter Of
course, tho ladies should always be served
first ut table. In handling napkins properly
a great many bad breaks are committed. 1t
should not be tucked under the chin or tied
around the neck in mule's-ear fashion, be-
cause it is no bib or tucker from the nursery,
anu u grown DeThDn IL huppObtu " COhNtl
spoonful of soup to the mouth without mark
ing way stations on the shirt front. The
napkin should not bs spread over the lap, as
it is not intended to serve as an apron. Pick
it up, unfold it discreetly, and let it fall
lightly over your knee. The napkin should
never be used for any other purpose than to
wipe the lips, and that should be done in a
light, easy manner, and not with elaborate
movements of the arms, like waving a star
spangled banner.
"Neither the napkin nor knife and fork or
any other table implement should be used rs
aplaything. Persons who are unaccustomed
to eat, knowing only the regular gorging or
feeding process. grow nervous. They are,
perhaps, quite good conversationalists in the
drawing-room, but grow bashful at the table,
and want to conceal their embarrassment by
picking up things from the tableand handling
them in Il playful manner. That Is very bad
tone. Every one whose circumstances re-
quire it should try to learn repose. Not a
studied stiffness, but an easy, expectant man
ner, always on the alert TO attend to the
comforts of those around him, especially
Indies, and ready TO carry on a
light conversation il there be any
delay between the courses. Some people
will hold a knife and fork like a pencil while
eating. That is overdone, and will lead to
dropping them on the floor or on the lap of
the n%eighbor. Knife and fork should be held
in such a manner that the handles rest in the
palm Of the hand so that the grip may DO
frightened to avoid accidents. 1t is decidedly
beastly-if you'll excuse that expression-to
practice tho sword-swnllowing act, that is,
to shovel meat, vegetables and gravy by
means Of the knife into the mouth, revealing
the latter's capacity to the fullest extent
The fork is there for tho purpose OF convey
ing the edibles to the mouth. But
the fork should not be packed full
of morscls as large as a base ball.
In fact, tho mouth should never
DO too full. That prevents mastication and
looks gluttonish. Besides, there is no hurry;
any haste while partaking of a meal in COM
pany is vulgar. Last of all the plate should
not be cleaned from all remnants OF gravy by
means Of crumbs OF bread. One has a right
10 suppose the people who give a dinner arc
able to pay II ~dishwasher in the kitchen.
~ could go on for hours" said the colonel,
Gin telling what people should not do at the
table, because table etiquette, like all other
rules Of society is mainly prohibitory in it'
character. The best thing for a novice liz
manners is to feel confident but not cheeky,
be II keen observer, and initiate the best PEG
pie in tho company. The ladies' are always
the best examples"