The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-05-01
Early Lessons in Etiquette.


IMPORTANCE OF THE TROOPER TRAIN
ING OF CHILDREN PA THE TABLE.
The manner of eating is. without
doubt. one of the surest tests OF rehne
ment. This test is as applicable t(
brutes as to men. There is as mucE
difference in the refinement OF lndlVld
uals of the canine and equine and DO
vine and feline species as III those O
the human species, and the difference
is seen most plainly in their PERSONA
habits, and particularly in their habits
of eating. There is no pain of the so
cial sorts more exquisite than the PAN
endured by a sensitive and refined ma
ture when by stress of circumstances II
Is compelled 10 feed on husks VIII
swine. This was the crowning agony
that brought the prodigal son to MN
self. and Influenced him to return tc
his fathers home, where the servants
even had good food and to spare.
The mother who would have nel
children form correct habits at the Ia
BILE should begin early and keep up tne
training till it becomes second nature
to them to eat properly and nenaVe
faultlessly. She must create a proper
sentiment in them by having the tabie
we'll appointed, the food prepared ano
served tdaintily and the order or the
service unvarying. Asto the table ap'
pointment, the cloth should be scrupu'
iously clean, though it be only coarse
material; it should be nicely starcheo
and ironed and put on straight, lts
folds parallel with the side OF the table
and they with the side of the room
The napkins, of however coarse mate
rial, must also be clean, carelully ltoii
ed and put on in place,
The arrangement OF the dlshes OH
the table must be uniform, regular aho
tasteful each dish, plate, spoon, glass
being in its appointed place and kePl
there. Any one accustomed 10 orderly
annointments by habit SOON learns tt
feel the necessity of taste and eNactl'
tude These are fearfully neglected III
many families. Table furniture OF all
sorts is hustled on without regard to ap'
pearance or order, the naperry Is DISCUS.
ting. the carelessness i'll dlsposlng II
ennally so, and the results are only
such as might be expected. Chlldreh
who are REQUIRED to behave at the table
every day as they are taught to penave W.
when company is present, mesI 81 81
down every day to as well set a 'apie d.
is set for company. e.,
As to food it is impossible to feel po-
lite and well hammered over unpalata-
ble. coarse, ill prepared, indigestlIble
food. Every mouthful of it prov'o9kes
i'm humor, resentment, dissatisfaction;
The house mother who insists on good
table manners must give her fanllly
GOOD food. How can one be gentle ah'!
Sol;te and sweet tempered on a diet OF
sour bread, muddy coffee, ss09ggS pota.
toes. heavy piecrust, leather battei
cakes? Chesterfield himself Woulo
forget his manners if fcompelled for any
LENGTH of time to subsist on such u dlet.
As to the methods of eating, with tne
assistance of the knife and fork, the
food may be so divided as 10 releES
the incisors of part of their WORK, ,, anu
make small mouthfuls pleasure: Inc
grinders indicate that grinding III tle
mouth is part of the process OF hutrl-
tion. Animals destitute OF grinders
bolt their food. 1t is not fitting thaI
human beings should eat as cats anu ai,i
dogs do, since they have such mil
ready for use which dogs have not
The lips are so constructed that the
noise Of grinding, which is intolera6le
to ears polite, may be eftectuaIiy o'S-
guised.
This is point that cannot be too ur'
gently insisted upon. Food, whether
LIQUID or solid, must be conveyed into
the mouth, and from the mouth down
ward, silently. The position at the Ia
BILE should he unconslralned ana easy
the person sitting erect or sllgh'lE pen
forward when eating, so that the NOUN
may be directly over the plate arms
should be held at the side, not eXtehd'
ed at right angle to tie body. The el'
bows should he kept off the table
Leaning back in ones chair is gr!rr'
ous violation of table etiquette. h'
mouth and fingers must he kept, dur
ing the process of eating, aUSo'uttiE
clean.
The use of the fork to the exclusion
of the knife in carrying. food I" ln'
mouth is insisted on. Leave taking /
permissible only by permission OF the
hostess. Table talk should be light
agreeable, general, each person preSrh
contributing his or her quota to the
general fund, and children observing
the excellent rule of being "seen ahS
not heard" unless they are in suci
majority that the conversation Is keScl
tD their level. Parents who will tie Il
the pains to set their children such eA
amnles as they wish to see FOLLOWED
and will hold themselves to high
standard of etiquette, will have n'
difficulty in attaining the results they
desire. Christian Adrocdtc.
The Unruly Member.