Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-19
RULES OF TABLE Etiquette.
A Young Lady Gives Them mt Re-
quest of College BOYS.

h"'St VI ,OittSt bbs
A request comes to US from certain
young men, students in a college. asking
that they be enlightened on points of ia
bic etiquette. l send a few points that
will be of help to them, both at college
and wherever they may go in after life.
p.
Give n boy address and accomplish
ments, and you give hin the mastery of
palaces and fortunes where he goes. He
has not the trouble OF earning or owning
them; they solicit him 10 enter and pos
sess. EMERSON.
1t is impossible for a gentleman to act
with perfect ease and graceful manner at
table when in company at a hotel, or any
public place, unless he habitually pay at
tention to those minor points OF etiquette
which form so distinctive a mark OF per-
fectly good breeding.
Even when a person eats alone, Il IS bet
ter to do so gracefully and with attention
10 the rules of etiquette, that habits OF
awkwardness may not be formed which it
will be difficult to shake of when in
company.
To make noises when eating, drinking
soup with a gurgling sound, chewing
meat noisily, swallowing as if with an ef-
fort, smacking the lips, or breathing
heavily while mastlcating food, are all
violations Of proper rules.
It IS a bad habit to put large pieces Of
food into your mouth. II you are adj
dressed suddenly with your mouth so
filled. you are Obliged TO make an WIKI
ward pause before answering or TO run
the risk Of choking by swallowing the
great mouthful too hastily.
So Lstt.-- v..p.~ ,,nnV .. nor. rTnrv~ 70 ~ fpnVn
the table. To lean bach in the chair is
rude. and surely no gentleman would ever
be guilty Of tipping his chair at table. Sit
erect. not stlfiy, but in an easy position.
Bread must always be broken, never
cut. and certainly never bitten.
To eat very fast is i~nelegant; to eat
very slowly bears an air Of affectatiOn.
II is against all rules Of etiquette 10
sop up gravy with bread, 10 scrape up
sauce with a spoon. or TO take up bones
with the fingers.
Never hold your knife and fork erect In
your hands at each side OF your plate,
when conversing at the table.
To blow soup to cool it. or 10 pour tea
or coffee into a saucer for the same pur-
pose. are acts Of awkwardness never seen
I'm polite society. Wait until they arc cool
enough to be pleasant.
Use the salt spoon, butter knife, and
sugar tongs even when you are alone.
II you want to cough, sneeze, or blow
nose. leave the table. II you have
time. turn away your head, and lean
back in your chair.
Al home. if you use n napkin-ring, fold
your napkin and replace it In the ring
you have lone with IT. If you are
dining out. never fold your napkin, but
it beside your plate.
None but q clown would use the table
cloth for a napkin. pick his teeth with
fork. put his fingers in his plate, or
wipe his face with his napkin.
put your spoon in the saucer and your
Knife and fork on the table until you
are served.
If YOU are unfortunate enough TO hnd
disgusting in your food-a hatr
n the soup. a coal I'm the bread, a worm
n the fruit. or a fly in your coffee-re-
move the offending object quietly OF
.hange your cup or plate without re-
mark.
To eat with the knife is i~ll-mannered.
is given against putting the
lnife TO the mouth. Carrying food TO
he mouth with a knife is scarcely more
than drinking from a finger
When a dish is offered it is better TO
.ccept il, even If you do not desire 1t,
IL is the best means of manifest
NO your appreciation toward your host.
If YOU refuse merely say, NO, thank
GU" and never, 81 do not care for it.
II you do not drink wine, turn your
lass bottom up.
Whenever anything Is passed TO you
o not fail TO say, Thank you" even If
I be to- a coIored waiter. You can show
our refinement TO a servant as well as
o a host.
Gentlemen should stand behind their
chairs until all the ladies are
Soup must be taken from the side OF the
moan. and without any noise OF slipping.
with heavy moustaches may
axe soup fsom the point OF a spoon,
nee Il is much less u%nsightly than a
mouth. Never tilt the soup
late for the last spoonful. {
Al the close Of the meal finger-bowls,
n~e-auarter full OF tepid water. should
. set before each person. upon a dolly in
Mate. Remove the dolly 10 the left
and side. dip the tips OF the fingers into
10 howl. and then wipe with the napkin. s
fter so doing set the finger-bowl upon
re dolly. {
Fish must be eaten with a fork. r
In eating asparagus it is proper to use +
ie fingers.
When oranges are served, an orange
,oon is necessary.