New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-15
Table MANNERS THREE CENTURIES AG
DAYS WHEN POISON WAS DREADED AND DISHES
WERE FEW

WERE FEW
An Instructive article upon table manners and
customs few centuries ago appeared recently In The
Munich News Willie the Information Is interest
ing II certainly tends to make Of the present age
content with their lot. and fills them with little envy
OF the comforts and el0ymens Of the people Of other
days.
"Al the dishes placed upon the table of Louis XIV
says the Journal were tasted In the presence of the
King, before he himself would touch them. The Lord
nwaItlug also obliged to rub the Kings napkin.
knife spoon and glass with piece Of bread which
he then ate under the eyes of His Majesty. But even
at court dinners the meals served as they are
today. Each guest was supplied with spoon for the
purpose Of helping himself from the dish. In
simple families the members ate out Of the same dish
without having the luxury of a plate. 1t frequently
happened that In arstOcratic circles Indies would help
their neighbos with the spoons Just taken from their
mouths Men often served with sauce in this
way. Anne, of AUSTRIA the Queen celebrated for her
beautiful hands, once gave piece Of meat TO her
neghbor which she he'd Just taken from the plate with
natures forks, and allowed him, special favor to
lick of what remained on the hand.
1t was bygienic principle of those days to avoid
the discussion Of weighty matters mt time. For
this reason tue people attempted to shorten the time
by various expedents. I'm order to direct the thoughts
Of the guests to pleasant things. the French invented
what they called 'cntrements' dramatic representa-
lions. pantommes, tableaus, etc, which intro
duced between the courses. As to-day, interesting
guests who were able to cnliven the company were
always welcome. Certain subjects We're considered
especially appropriate for discussion at the table II
was ut dinner that Madame dc MOntespan with whom
Louis XIV In love, said while at the table
We do not grow DID,
in those days wines and liquids not served
as they now Until late in the sixteenth century
II often happened that one glass only provided for
entire dinner company. Ii considered good
form TO wash the lips with the napkin before touching
the glass. il was also necessary for each guest TO
empty the glass when 1t to its turn A servant
often held plate under the chin OF lady while she
drinking, in order to prevent the soiIlng of her
dress. At later day the hosts began to furnish
each guest with glass. The custom Of drinking TO
the health Of people soon came in vogue frequent
cause OF quarrels was the failure To reply TO such COM
pliments. Young men drank the health OF their
inamoraas often rs there letters In their re-
spective names But young man who was not I'm love
need not become embarrassed this account: he
simply drank To his name
"WOmen in those days drank much wine as men
The Marquise OF Richelen able to dispose of
astonishing quantities of the liquid. The Duchess OF
Bourbon set also good example to her daughters In
this respect. Her daughters, however. were not as
heavy drinkers their mother. Madame de Monte
span friend OF brandy. She often able TO
drink noblemen under the table,