The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-04-18
EyoIution of the Table

It was late in the fourteenth centu-
ry when the first evidences of art IN
the shape of silver cups were noticea-
bic on the buffet. The dishes were
made of pewter or wood, and spoon
of bone, wood or silver. Knives were
rare, and on that account guests invit-
ed to feasts carried their own knives.
Forks came in general use still later,
and for long years after their introduc-
ton they were considered ridiculous
aftectation and foppery, and not near
ly 50 convenient as ones own fingers.
The lord and his lady dipped their
fingers into the same cup. Even the
eueenly Elizabeth, with all her ella
borate ideas of etiquette, was content
to carry her food to her mouth with
her fingers, and at first despised the
newly Invented forks as unseemly and
awkward
Very gradually the dining hall grew
in comfort and splendor. Dishes of
gold and silver were made, and so
eager were the mobiles for them that
they would saccellar anything to
possess them. The salt-cellar was for
a long time the article of highest inn
panceporton the board. 1t was great
affair, and it stood directly in the center
of the table; it was the dividing line /;
the mobiles We're seated above the salt,
the commoners below, hence grew the
proverb, "Below the salt" The pass
ing of salt was a cerenlonious custom,
the guest throwinga a pinch over his
left shoulder and murmuring abless-
ing.
The salt-cellars were Of the most
curious devices. Sometime they re-
presented huge animals, sometimes a
great fullblown flower, or long siend-
er stem, and again, they were in shape
of chariot, mounted on four Wheels,
on which they were easily run down
the table.
The first glass cnps came from Ven.
ice during the sixteenth century, and
from that time on society began to
lose many of its primitive ways, and
became, in q sense, more refind.
Henry VIII. was born with luxuri-
Gus tester; he had his banquet chairs
supplied with velvet cushions, and
about this time the parlor or talking
room,n as it was called, was introduc-
ed and here it was that the DANES
took refuge when the dinner had ad-
vanced beyond prudent limits, as it
invariably did before the finish.
The cook that presided over the
kitchen i'm those days. was not the
counterpart of our nineteenth century
Bridget, but he was an artist, and gen
orally a man of quality. The ladies
of the household, even those of noble
birth, attended to many domestic
duties, making the bread, preserving
the fruits; while to understand the
peoper use of starch was considered q
great accomplishment.
"F'ctting is an evidence OF
yeokncss." 1t shows that you are not
controlling yourself. While in that
condition you are not fit tocontroll
ANYBODY else. Don't fret. 1t is your
Christian duty to cultivate self-con-
troll and patience; and in so doing
YOU are not only obeying God, but you
are also working for your own greatest
happiness.
God keeps his word even in the
smallest particulars. Trust him and
try his faitfulness. He delights to
have us thus test him in faith.
Religion is the perfection of wisdom,
practice the best Observation-Disclosures
giving the sweetest recreation.