The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-01-26
NAPKIN ETIQUETTE.
In no Place are Bad Mann ers More
Noticeable Than at Table.

table etiquette are those pertaining t
the use of the napkin. But simple a
these are, many are seemingly ignoran
of them; or what is worse, are careles
of their observance, for getting the oil,
but true saying that Sin no place is lacl
of manners more noticeable than at tb,
table,"
While the following rules, given il
the Housekeeper, for using the napkin
will be found valuable as authority, i
must be remembered that practice, no
precept, makes perfect, that mer'
knowledge OF the correct thing to d.
is not sufficient to give one easy. grace
full manners; and that daily observation
is the only way to attain these anc
form ones manners into habits thai
will never foresake them.
l. On being seated at the table the
napkin should be partly unfolded anc
laid across the lap, whore it should re-
main when not in use. The old time
custom of using the napkin for bib
tucking it under the chin and spread
ing it over the shirt or bodice front
has gone out of date, and with it the
custom requiring one to wait until all
the table had been served before be-
ginning to eat. The proper way now
is to wait few moments after being
served, then begin eating; slowly, Of
course, that one may not have finished
eating before all have been served.
Another custom, which never was
and never will be in fashion, is that OF
pushing the napkin to one side of the
plate and leaving it lie there through.
ont the meal, thus ignoring the fact
that napkins are designed especially for
the mouth and fingers, and that they
are for useful, not ornamental purposes.
There is no breach of table etiquette
more noticeable or objectionable than
this, not even excepting that Of eating
with the knife, which is considered a
vulgar habit that is excusable only in
the dear old grandparents, whose man
ners were formed decades ago.
2. When through eating, the napkin
should be laid down carelessly on the
table unless one expects to take the next
meal or another in the same house.
when it should be folded and laid be-
side the plate or be rolled and placed
in the napkin ring, if one is included
in the table appointments. This rule
should invariably be observed for these
reasons: In folding napkin. a guest
for one meal only assumes that his
napkin will be used again before visit
ing the laundry; in not folding napkin,
a guest for more than one meal implies
that it is not possible for him to use
the same napkin twice, making devia.
ton from either almost a reflection on
his hostess daintiness.
3. Before laying aside your napkin,
as signal that you are through eating
be sure the meal has all been served.
The non observance of this rule, either
through thnughtlessness or Ignorance
has placed many hostess and guest il
a very embarrassing position that could
have been prevented by little watch
fitness. In many homes the entire mea
is placed on the table at first, and is
served without change of plates; in
others the plates are changed before
dessert is served; and in sti others the
meals are served in courses, with
change of plates between each one.
These varying customs make it hard
often for young folks, particularly those
who have had few, if any, opportunities
for familiarizing themselves with the
usages of good society, to know jus
when the meal has all been served. A
good way for them to do is to watch
some members of the family, preferably
the hostess, and when they lay aside
their napkins, quietly follow their
example.
4. If it becomes necessary during q
meal to remove any particle of fooo
from between the teeth, it should be
quietly done under cover of the napkin,
holding it before the mouth. This rule
should only be taken advantage Of when
absolutely necessary.
5. If finger bowels are part Of the
table service, the fingers, after dipping
the tips daintily in the water, should
be dried on the napkin, and never on
doylies underneath the bowl. This
unlike the napkin, is for purely orna
mental purposes, and should, when the
plate and bowl are placed before one,