Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-08-22
ETIQUETTE AT TABLE
THIRTEENTH CENTURY MANNERS
THAT STILL HOLD GOOD.

Fra Bonvesin, . Holy Man, Who Liked
Polite Company-He Laid Down Sensible
Rules In Which Cleanliness and Tenn
pcrance Were Insisted Upon.
"Fifty CoHrtesies Of the Table" That
In the title Of curious old manuscript of
the thirteenth century to be found among
the numberless rolls of yellowed and
shriyeled parchments which constitute the
great wealth Of the Ambrosian library at
Milan. 1t Is written in verse by one Fra
Bonvesin, who appears to have been an
arbiter Of good manners to the public of
six centuries ago and who has not been
essentially improved upon by the numer-
Gus writers on etiquette Of more recent
years.
Fra Bonvesin seems not only to have
possessed pretty good sense regarding the
cardinal points OF refined table manners,
but also to have had an appreciation of
the more delicate touches of good breeding
and gentility worthy Of my Lord Chester
field himself.
1t can do no harm to repeat some Of the
worthy monks admonitions, for they are
not only OF interest as throwing light On
the civilization and customs Of the time,
but the greater number of them might be
pasted in every mans hat with advantage
to the wearer, provided he would look at
them occasionally-for almost every one
has at least read or been told what good
manners are. Tho practice OF them Is
what is lacking.
After impressing ON his readers the ne
cessity Of cleanliness in personal appear
ance at table he continues: "Do not be
In too great hurry to take your seat at
table before being invited. If you should
find your place occupied, do not make any
disturbance about the matter, but politely
yield"
The Tubingen school, the Romans and
the Ingcrsolls had not as yet unsettled tho
popular mind ON certain important ques-
tions, and the necessity of saying grace
was Of more consequence in Fra Bonve-
sins day than it might be considered now.
One Is particularly warned not to neglect
saying grace. ut is, to the extreme, glut-
tonous and vile and showing great con
tempt of the Lord to think Of eating be-
fore having asked his blessing.'
This over, one Is admonlshed "to sit de-
Gently at the table, not with the legs
crossed nor with elbows on the board"
'Do not"-mark this, you representa-
tive from the rural districts, you business
your lunch, you well gorgcd patrons of
high priced restaurants, mark this-'do
not I'll your mouth too full Tho glutton
who fl lis his mouth will not be able to re-
ply when spoken to-" And elsewhere tho
careful brother utters an especial warning
against the breach Of good manners in
eating noisily.
Evidently the worthy frater thought lit
Ito of tho table talk of that day, for his
next recommendation savors strongly Of
tho homely but expressive mandate of our
grandparents, Let your victuGls stop your
mouth" Fra Bonvcsin' S version is, when
eating, speak little, because in talking
ones food Is apt to drop or be spluttercd. "
"When thirsty, swallow your food before
drinking" Excellent hygiene as well Us
good manners.
In that early time dinner services were
not MS complete as in later periods. Each
guest was supposed to bring with him his
own knife and spoon, and there was but
ono drinking cup for the whole company.
Tho following admonitions as to the use
of this cup arc Of interest: "Do not dirty
tho cup in drinking. Take 1t with both
hands firmly, so as not to spill the wine.
If not wishing to drink and your neighbor
has dirtled the cup, wipe it before passing
1t on"
The fourteenth courtesy Is admirable,
and not only admirable, but applicable to
many diners out of tho present and to all
those amiable people whose conviviality is
In excess Of their discretion: Beware of
taking too much wine, even If it be good,
for he offends trebly who does so against
his body and his soul, while tho wine he
consumes Is wasted" Prudent old Fra
Bonvesini
"If any one arrives during tho meal"
ono Is told mot to rise, but continue eat
ing" The sixteenth courtesy is ono par
ticularly significant for the present, rs in
1t those who take soup are counseled not
to "swallow their spoons and are further
advised to correct themselves of this bad
habit as soon as possible"
'If you should sneeze or cough, cover
your mouth, and above all turn away from
the table.
The next courtesy has the true Chester
fleldian stamp: Good manners demand
that one should partakc however little, of
whatever is offered-if, that is, one is In
good health. Do not, urges Fra Bonve-
sin, 'criticisc the food or say, This is bad
ly cooked or too SALT Attend to your
own plate and not to that of others. Do
not mix together on your plate all sorts of
viands, meat and eggs. 1t may disgust
your neighbor. Do not eat coarsely or vul-
carly, and if you have to share your bread
with any one cut it neatly If you do not
wish to be Ill bred. Do not soak your
bread In your wine, for" says the frater,
''if any one should dine with me and thus
fish up his victuals should not like it. {"
"If with ladies, carve first for them-to
them the men should do honor. ALWAYS