Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-30

ago In the politest nation in Europe, de-
clares that the host should not chastlss
his servants at table, and reminds the
guest that II he swallows his wine 700
rapidly, he may choke himself, which
is impolte and inconyenient.'
The rule 10 90 70 dinner with clean
hands was already in vogue, but appa-
rently every one kept his hat on at DIN
ner, for you are told 10 remove II when
a person of quality drinks your health.
Apparently. too, there was but one towel
for the manual states that "a dry
corner should be left for the person VINO
Is TO use II next" The napkin must Do
''unfolded In a lesurely way" and not as
and spoon on IL after every course, but
not 10 use il as a handkerchief nor rub
your face nor scour your plate with IL
This shows that knives and spoons were
scarce, and one OF each must serve for
the entire meal.
The guest Is warned when the meat
comes on mot 90 gaze at II too earnestly.
not 10 thrust out his plato with eager
ness" and ION no account 10 smack MS
lips" II he takes anything too not IN
his mouth he Is 20 remove IL quickly and
pass il behind him 70 the waiter. Polite
ness requires that this be done politely.
but you are not expected TO commit SUI
eide" In drinking wine il is considered
good form 20 empty the glass al a draushs
and 10 leave no heel-taps This rule -
probably a legacy from stIi earlier
time. when there was but one glass Tor
the table II lady drank IL was cdsto-
mary for attendants 10 stand on each slds
OF her and hold napkin under her chin,
which must have been an impressive
sight IL was at that time, as now. u
mark OF lI!-breedlng 10 blow out the
cheeks in drinking. 10 gIrgls loudly, or Ia
set the beaker down with short OF
satisfaction"
The following rules are marked by good
sense. and are as valid now as they were
In i7S2:
avoid putting a second morssl ints
the mouth before the first Is swallowed.
It is improper 10 make two mouthfuls or
one spoonful. Persons Of good breeding
never swallow without mastieating. IL
the plate before you is not quite clean.
do not scrape II with your myers; ask
for another II Is impossible 70 admire
the guest who regards his neishoors with
a sldelong glance TO see II their plates
ara better allied than bis. DO not try TO
eat soup with a fork. Tho plate should
not be scraped with the spoon or fork.
as IL the guest expected never 10 dine
again. Make as little noise as possible In
swallowing. DO not pile up your plate TIL
II will hold no more. DO not on any ac-
count clutch your plate with your left
hand. as II you feared that some one
would snatch II from you. Meat should
not be dipped In the salt-cellar or tina
mustard-pot: take a little salt and mus
tard on your plate No one OF good breed
ing beats a bone on the table. or shakes
IT. 10 extract the marrow; n Is better to
leave the marrow alone"
Judging from the above. and some OF
the manuals OF manners" OF the present
day. we should say that the sutnor OK
the old "ciyility'' was SIN living ana
getting out new editions OF bis book. IL
must be one OF his descendants who
writes the answers TO correspondents on
questions OF etiquette in tho ladies'
journals" Fashions change. but men
remain subject TO the new ones a. tosy
were 10 the old.