The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1899-07-07
MANNERS AT TABLE.
MUM SER OF ILL-BRED PEOPLE
is ASTONISHING.
Many "cll-Dresscl Persons Of Ap-
parent Refinement Are Found sadly
Deficient in Dccorun When Eating
Rules for tho Guidance of Such.

do not know of Il subject more in
need of discussion than table manners
at home and abroad, says the philaGei-
phla Times. AT home first because the
foundation OF coed breeding is laid
there and without it there is always
danger of Il serious blunder There is
no point on which ones lie is so sure
~ read as the manner of eating. no
sulei' indication of character Sur
roundinSs have much to do with it, |
admit, but in these days of ncwspa-
| pers and books without number. not
TO count the many opportunities for OBJ
servation, there is little or no excuse
(cr the disgusting table manners which
we see in all public places.
III many instances those who disgust
us are iIreproachablc in dress and
manner and that shows them pos
sessed OF intelligence and Il desire to
stand side by side with refined people
| They would not tolerate shabDiness of
attire or display lack of neatness ex-
cept in the one direction-eating There
they are perfectly willing to sink to the
sevel of extreme ignorance and Provi-
dence alone knows why. 1t is with
! the hope that | may reach some few
of this class that | have undertaken to
formulate set of simple rules for the
table, to be used first of all in the
bosom OF ones family and everywhere
else fate may place them. THESE rules
are especially good in the training OF
| children, but must not be overlooked
"a
| appreciate good breeding Perhaps I
should put it in another way and say
the women and men who lack good
| breeding.
Make it a point to be on time at fam
lily meals. EXactitude is the politeness
| OF kings-and of well-bre people. To
come to the table in neglected attire,
| With untldy hair or hands and face of
doubtful cleanliness is unpardonab BILE.
Your home is a temple-not a pig-sty.
| Gentlemen should remain standing ln-
I'll tie ladies are seated, and children,
except those Of tender years, should
always wait until mother has taken
her accustomed seat This may sound
absurd, but watch a well-bred party at
a social function and you will note the
prevalence of this custom.
Sit down squarely at the table, not
| sideways, and keep elbows and hands
away from the table until the latter
are called into use in the feeding proc
ess. Place the napkin across tie lap,
never under the chin or tucked in be-
tween the breast buttons. Cultivate
the art of eating without spilling por-
lions Of food and there will be no need
| of bib, for children or adults. \ man
with a mustache or beard needs to use
q napkin frequently to wipe away par
ticles which adhers to these face or
naments, but they need not mop their
faces with it.
Eat without haste and without large
mouthfuls and never attempt to talk
until the mouth is empty. Make no
noise with the mouth, either in eating
Or drinking, masticating the food with
closed lips and slipping fluids instead
OF gUlping them down. Never cut
| your bread with the knife or butter q
! piece larger than the mouth will hold,
and contine the duties of a knife strict
! ~ to cutting purposes. Convey all food
to the mouth by the fork and spoon,
| possible. A well-known society man
used to boast that he could carry ev-
erything to his mouth on a fork except
soup, tea and coffee Liquids should
be taken from the side of spoon not
the point.