New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-28
DISHPANS AND THEIR FAMOUS INVENTORA

DISHPANS AND THEIR FAMOUS 1NVENTORA
The first English plates were huge crackers or
trenchers CT baked dough. on which placed
before individuals services Of the roast. OF game
or whatever grand dish occupied the centre Of the
table aid was carved by the host These plates were
broken after they had been used and given to the
beggars who were always waiting for food at the
doors in those good old times Soaked with the
gravy OF the meats which We're served upon them.
these trenchers were substantial food. II was BY
such a primitive method as this that the English
host Of the days of Chaucer and later gained the
reputation of being bountiful. and avoided all ne
c.ssitv of washing dishes. Dishes OF silver
to have been used since unknown times. and plates
OF wool were common. as were dishes OF primitive
clay but glass stoneware and china dishes are Of
comparatively recent date. The era OF the DISH
pan begins with the introduction Of this table
ware which easily broken and needed special
protection when it was washed.
metal dlshpan to wash glass and china was In
vented by Menteith. Grand Treasurer OF scotland
I'm the reign Of Charles |. or by some retainer OF
his family. The dshpan, especially the pan USED
for washing glassware. still bears the name Of
Menteith in parts OF Scotland and England. This
vessel was at first huge silver bowl, which was
disnlayed at 4 side table In the baronlal dining
rooms OF the eighteenth century. In these spa
clous bowls or "Monteiths." the servants washed
the household stoneware. china or glass ware In
the presence Of guests The supply OF household
china that time was more liHit'i' t''H III wv
family OF duke, than II Is To-Day III the fanny
OF n well-to-Jo peasant.
recent paragraph in an English paper calls
attention TO such a silver dishpan. which Is dis
played in an English palace ana was once T rhs
mention recalls those days OF the silver dsnpan
ana The verify Of the old English rhyme, which
declared:
"Mcntelth has BY one vessel saved his name from
death"
It's not so strange that the pompous lord treas
cloredias and history, and his name only re-
ca lied nv domestic utensil. for he Is one OF many
Of Inferior note whose iame mas no. suos'xe yea
them. Even the name OF this John' luke OF AZ
gyle the man Of whom Pope wrote;
"Argyle the States whole thunder born 20 WELD.
And shake alike the Senate and the hed.
is more often recalled to-day by the household
r-ayv kettle that bears his name than BY all his
achievements in diplomacy or war
Let us all be thankful that china and glass ware
have survived and become so cheap mat none are
dishes silver dshpans have DISAPPEARED with me
necessity for displaying them. dshpan OK
aluminium Is to-day the highest evolution OF nj:
| utenSiL |: Is light and can always oe easily KEEP.
bright and clean Wooden tubs except FOR the
fact that they are cumbersome. possess some ad
yantages as dishpans. Glassware. /! Is said IS not
| OF metal The advantages OF the tuo IN this re-
spect however. are more than overoalanced BY It's
| bulk and its tendency TO dry and fan apart
Washing dishes calls for two pans. one snou,o
| hold abundance OF hot, soapy water. II httle
| washing powder soda is dissolved In this water
SO much the better. Wash the dishes rapidly ana
| should hold clear boiling hot water. Do not ,.
afraid OF cracking china, or even giass"are. =.
| there Is silver spoon In the dish when Is
plunged in the hot water II VII nor S e , ~
20 wash It rapidly, and dry 1t thoroughly ana
| quickly