Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-21
AT THE TABLE,.
Suggestions Concerning Breakfast and How
10 May be Served.
fphiladelnhia Times

AT THE TABLE.
Suggestions Concerning Breakfast and How
IL May be Served.
Philadelphia Times.l
There is probably no meal that re-
quires more thought OF the part Of the
careful housekeeper than breakfast, and
none that. as a general rule, receives
less consideration. 1t is an obvious
fact in most households that little
more consideration given to the first
meal Of the day would very materially
increase not only the comfort, but also
the kindly feelings that it is so essential
to cultivate in the home circle. A great
many are too apt to serve up odds,
ends, and scraps left from previous
meals in a slipshod sort of fashion,
placing it upon the table before those
who have capricious appetite at best,
and taking away the desire, rather than
gratifying it by some dainty dish ar
ranged by def fingers, aided by a little
forethought.
To be sure many do not require
aught but light breakfast, as hot rolls,
coffee, chocolate, or tea, with the now
necessary accompaniment of oatmeal,
cracked wheat or grits Of some kind,
and eggs in one form or another.
Again, there are those to whom the
morning meal must be substantial. be-
ing the one most enjoyed Of all three
and necessary to fortify them for long
hours of labor, and for these appe-
tizing and Strengthening dishes in
which discretion as to choice and guam
tity is used should be chosen. We donot
absolutely condemn the practice Of using
cold meat left from the previous days
dinner, or poultry and game, but let
these be arranged to look tempting.
Many delicious dishes can be made out of
cold meat, with potatoes or bread
crumbs added, while poultry can, if
served cold, be carefully cut up. placed
in the centre of dish garnished with
water-cresses or mound of delicious
mashed potatoes Drowned to a delicate
/ shade; Saratoga chips will also serve
for a garnish, and these cold fragments
nicely served will prove useful side
dish, and not revolt the eye by their
untidy and unappetizing appearance,
as, alas is so frequently the case IN
morning meals.
ARRANGING THE TABLE.
But before the meal is served it is a
most important matter that the table
should be arranged with the utmost
care. A soiled and stained table-cloth,
a smeared goblet, or a sticky plate will
spoil the most luxurious meal. So let
the linen be spotless, and then whether
it of the finest damask or coarsest
homespun will be matter OF
minor consideration, so that it is
pure and smoothly laundried; have
the glass bright and shiny, the china
white and glossy, and your first great
points are gained, so that the delcacy
of the food placed before the most fasti-
dious will be doubly relished. Always
have flowers upon the breakfast-table-
the one bright spot that so frequently
gladdens the eye. Many exclaim that
these are not always attainable, but
such is not the case if a little care and
forethought is used. In summer bios
SONS can be purchased at a small out
lay. Autumn brings its many-hued
leaves that rival art i'll the beauty and
richness of their coloring, while in win
ter ivy, holly, and evergreens look well
with brilliant red berries shining
against the vivid green. Ivy planted
in a fancy vase will grow rapidly
and form a pleasing decoration for the
table during the winter season, the only
attention required being careful water
ing and training Of the vine into grace
full curves. Fruit is also needful ac-
cessory to the breakfast-table. In sum-
mer small fruits and melons are best 4;
in the autumn golden pears and rich
clusters of grapes, while winter brings
its endless varieties Of apples and
oranges frcm home and foreign chimes.
SERVING AT TABLE.
When seated at table let the helping
be done in q decorous manner. An
overloaded plate is in this day consid-
cred unsightly. Remember TO inculcate
in your children that the specific and
only use for knife is in cutting food.
The hostess should demand that re-
quests for food, acceptance and declina-
ton Of the same, be conveyed in set and
courteous phrase; that all the members
Of the family seat themselves at
the same time and without bus
tie. Exact from the chance lag
gard sentence of apology; also to
her should be addressed the "May I
be excused ?" without which no one,
old or young, should be permitted TO
quit the table until all have finished.
Put spoons in emptied cups, lay knife
and fork in close parallels across the
plate, the handles to the right; il the
napkins are TO be used again, fold and
put in their rings, otherwise they should
be thrown down carelessly upon the
table. When all rise the chairs should
be lifted, not pushed back with noise
and hustle, and set quite out of the
way Of the turning figures.
CARE OF THE TABLE-CovER.
Put under the damssk cloth upon the
table a sub-cover Of thick Canton fan
mel, if you cannot afford the heavier
"table felt " sold for this purpose. Or
an old blanket, darned, washed, and
kept for this use only, win answer the
npv,nsa Tho unner rnver will l,e more