The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-28
Feeding According to Form.

Lately the Cincinnati Post has been re-
calling its readers with an elaborate disser-
tation on table manners" which is little
singular in that it has much more to say of
the table service than of the prevailing per-
sonal manners. Although it is apparently
intended to supersede the historic sug-
gestions Of Lord Chesterfield and other
more or less distinguished authorities on
good FORM" it is likely to make but slow
Roadway in that direction. Throughout
the whole discourse there is a great verbal
cla.ter of dishes, which is more suggestive
Of the scullery than the dining hall Prop
erly passing the plates seems TO engross the
whole attention Of the writer. In fact, he
talks like a man who had at some memoir
able epoch in his career been shamefully
neglected at table, and wished to avail him
self of a good opportunity to gravely re-
prove and restrain the growth Of such a
reprehensible tendency
Careful consideration of the subject has
fully persuaded him that one should "when
asked to pass any dish empty both hands
before doing So" That's right. No we'll
bred person should ever attempt to pass
section of custard pie in each hand. 1t is
somewhat inelegant But whether the act-
i've member should first arise and ablute
his hands before passing" the oleomarga-
rine the cited authority has apparently not
debated yet. This prescription probably
provides for those exigencies when suc1
the servants as may not be grievously af-
fiicted with "a mighty misery" somewhere
about their anatomy, are off burying de-
ceased relatives.
Further along the professor of provincial
politeness solemnly warns everybody that
You are never to put your knife in the
butter dish" This probably anticipates a
forthcoming form of depravity which his
sensitive soul shifts from afar. Just why
any sane Christian should feel impelled to
deposit his knife, with all its imperfections
upon it, in the butter dish is rather difficult
to discern.
Nevertheless he proceeds with no little
positiveness to proclaim that in Ohio society
the fiat has gone forth that mo one should
ever put his knife or spoon into any dish
but his own" Therefore the most simple
minded Of mortals cannot fail to understand
that plunging ones spoon into his neigh
boris soup or marmalade is somewhat IN
conventional and liable to give offense to a
sensitive person.
Moreover the quoted authority inhibits
any Inherent propensity one may naturally
cherish to "blow with his lips to cool coffee
or victuals." Victuals should be cooled
with a bellows or blast furnace if the
haste is too urgent to await the natural
course of events.
But great liberality and freedom from
trivial conjunction is shown when this
arbiter of gastronomic amenities unreserv-
eddy declares that hungry Ohio man
| should mot be afraid to take the last piece
of bread on the table," That is genuine
OHIO doctrine. They usually go for every
thing in sight out there. There is also un-
deniable wisdom in the injunction to keep
the lips closed when chewing Such a
precaution excludes flies from participation
in the performance and also prevents in
quisitive people from counting the pegs in
| ones shoes.
| Since conversation Is not referred to.
however, the natural presumption is that
talk is not allowed, although it is elsewhere
generally acknowledged to be one Of the
chief delights of wholesome repast. In
telligent conversation at the tables of Gin
cinnati might tend to diffuse enlightenment
and obviate the necessity for On etiquette
| professor emeritus