The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-10-09
HOME-TRAlNING.
Some of the Trines Which Indicate III
Breeding.

SCEue Vi the w HUN AhuASdto
Breeding.
Trifles make up the sum of life; espe'
cially do they make up the sum of good
manncrism" at the table. Mothers can
not be too careful in guarding their
childrcn's table manners, for as the
twig is bent, the tree inclincth."
We Americans are always in such
hurry that we have very little time to
cultivate gentle, refined ways; we Sim
ply rush along. By and by we bring
up against a combination of circum-
stances when we would give all we
have gained by our rush to know how
to act.
Some of the kindest-hearted women
in the wOrld--thOSc who are beloved
for their genuine worth--are constant
source OF EN- barassment to their friends.
| recall one now, the mother of 4 large
family and an excellent neighbor and
friend. who, on sitting down to the
table, pours her tea and then catches
up the saucer in an awkward, indescrib-
able way and flirts it about to cool the
tea, usually talking in a loud, volublc
manner meanwhile. All her table man
ners are off the same piece, and her
children call and clamOr rudely, utterly
regardless of etiquette.
Some men holding high positions
senators, Judges and the like-coming
from tutelage such as the above, bring
shame on themselves and modification
on their families. 1t is really robbing
a child in one way to agTrandiZe him in
another, to defraud him of home cul-
ture in order that the time may be given
to accommodating dollars and acres. Bet
ter launch him with a we'll balanced
brain, a well-brcd manner, and an hon
est heart, without money, than with a
mint of the latter minus the former.
But when a delicate home training
has been denied human being there is
still a chance for him A little awll-
ward it may all come, but still in time
it may come natural-if one is thinking.
The trouble comes when one is OFF guard,
in a moment of Observation-Disclosures Or
deep earneStneSS.
The knife will assert itself and crowd
food into the mouth, Just as of Old, -
the elbow will rise and form right
angle, the lips will smack, dishes will
clattcr the chewing may become loud,
the napkin possibly slide to the floor
and last, but not least, a toothpich may
unconsciously get in point. l have
seen many persons who counted them
selves "well-bred" take slice of bread
in the left hand, holding it we'll up, and
butter it, with something of a flourish
then bite ont pieces, still holding the
slice, ragged edge and all, up to be seen
by all at the table; never even noticing
that others left theirs lying on the plate,
barely steadying it with their left hand,
to butter, and then cut it in bites, lifting
one at Il time with the finger and thumb,
as needed.
Only trife, but sufficient to show
which individual understood table Ell
quette.
Using ones knife to mash potato is
trife, as is also cutting pastry with a
knife; elevating ones glass when drink
ing, unnecessarily; pouring water rap
idly down the throat; biting off soft
cake; drinking with spoon in the cup;
quite draining a cup; putting salt on the
CIC.s buG JIG dill COunI III
making up the sum of table manners.
1t is not polite to eat voraciously in
company, neither is it polite or courte-
GUS to ones hostess to eat sparingly.
When one is placed at table where
they do not feel sure of themselves it is
well to make haste slowly" and rather
follow than lead the fashion.
Napkins, excepting when used by lit
tie children, or persons trembling with
age, should be spread in the lap, not
tucked in the waist or vest.
Men with long beard or mustache
can not be too careful in keeping food
and drink from among the hairs or off
the tips of the latter.
1t is the duty of the hostess to give
the signal for rising when all are done
On rising, the chair remains where it
stands.
These are only some of the tribes
Velma Caldwell Melville, in the House
keeper