Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-27
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
The Table Manners of Chi1dren--Some
Safe Rules to Teach Them.

The Table Manners of Children--Some
Safe Rules to Teach Them.
There is q diversity of opinion as4to the age
at which young children should be allowed
at the table, but e very good rule, advised by
Mary B. Munroe in Good Housekeeping, is
to let them be brought in when the dessert is
served. This cap be made real pleasure,
not only to the children bat TO the parents
The little ones have had their dinner earlier,
and the little taste Of sweet,neats given by
their mothers permission can do no harm.
We are referring, of course, to babies and
young children, say under years.
l believe, says Mr.. Monroe, in children
being brought to the table, for 1t is necessary
that they should begin as early as possible to
learn table manners; and nowhere can they
be taught so well as at the family table.
Here are few good old rules that can be
safely followed. Give the child seat that
shall be strictly it's own. Teach 1t to take its
seat quietly; to use its napkin properly; to
wait patiently to be served; TO answer prompt
ly; to say thank you; if asked to leave tho
table for forgotten article or for any pur-
pose to do SO at once; never TO interrupt
and never TO contradict; never TO make re-
marks about the food, such as II saw that
heard little boy remark at a Thanksgiving
dinner.
Teach the child to keep his plate in order /;
not to handle the bread or to drop food on
the cloth and floor; to always say EXCUSE
me, please" to the mother when at home, and
TO the lady or hostess when visiting, if leaving
the table before the rest Of the party; tofoid
it's napkin and to put back its chair or push it
close to the table before leaving. and after
leaving the table not to ret1rn.
seal or cum.
During the battle of Copenhagen Nelson had
occasion to write letter to the crown prince
of Denmark. a wafer was banded 10 him,
but he rejected it, embroidered lighted can
die to be brought from the cockpit He
melted wax, and sealed the letter with 6
larger seal than he ordinarily used ''This is
no time" said be, "to appear hurried and
Informal"
The anecdote illustrates Nelson's GOODNESS in
time of intense excitement, and It also
shows his diplomatic skill which, knowing
the effect Of trihes on human intercourse, pre-
ferred wax 10 wafer, deliberately selected
a larger seal and made clean impression OF
his coat of arms
Mr.. Hamerton, who quotes this story in his
human intercourse" publishes also this ex-
tract from SCOTS 'sWaver.ey" to Illustrate
the elaboration with which cur forefathers
sealed letter, and the care they exercised 70
secure an accurate impression:
Sir Everard again conducted bis nephew
10 the library, where he produced letter,
carefully folded, surrounded by a little strip
of fox silk, according 70 ancient form, and
sealed with an accurate impression Of the
WaFerley coat OF arms
Our generation is practical, and knows the
value Of every second It cannot spend the
tinle necessary to melt the wax and 10 secure
fair impression Of the seal Ii Is satisfied
rapidly 10 lick the gum on the inside o Al en-
veiope and then 70 thumpit 70 make 4 sick.
The practice i neither dignified nor elegant,
snd there are no pleasant associations CON
nected with II, such as were linked to the acs
Of sealing; but il saves time, aud that Is val-
liable 70 men Of busines-ToutaS Com
naasoa-