Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-14
Origin Of Forks ard Spoons.

The custom nj collecting spoons OF
various dates and designs is one that
greatly obtains with curiosity hunters at
present; and from cobwehby antigua
rian to contrivilg hostess the spoon of au-
thentiC pedigree is equally interesting ana
covetable. in un. case for it's inherited
history, and the other for its added or
nanental value to the dinner table.
Old baptisma! spoons are especially
treasure trove to the collector. and some
relics of ornate Tudor times. which were
lately unearthed in a Wiltshire village
and sold in King street. fetched the most
cNtortionate prices.
1t is curious TO think that the only i'm
pltmoni our forbears fed themselves
with was the spoon--and as entertain
ers in these days were not required or
supposed 10 provide their guests with
such out of the way luXureS. each man
brought his own in his pocket.
A. soon would lady or gentleman of
quality think of travelling without a
spoon ease in The days between Henry
VIII, and James |. as We moderns would
he likely on railway journeys to go with
out watches. All persons, then. received
spoons from their godparcntS. more or
less ornate. according to the means of
these worthy folk. the most ordinary
shape being the Apostle handle. but in
old Catholic times various sacred OBJ
jects and legends were commonly en-
craved thereon with great elaboration,
1t was Il SomcrsetShire squire. one adj
venture seeking Tom Coryatc. who final
~ delivered England from being alto
SetHcT spoon it'i. anu gave II over 10 tne
enlightenment of forks. This was when
James !. was king and when few of his
subjects moved out of their own country
for pleasure. the grand tour being still
unknown. and beyond channel an undis-
coverable land to most true born
Brtons.
Master Coryate q bon viveur and lover
of sights. did his devoirs of sightseeing
with "A thoroushness not always possible
of repetition to ears polite. At Crcmona
he ate frogs. ut Heidelberg drank wine
from the great cask. at Venice saw for
the first time women on the stage. Here
he also saw some less orthodox others
whose high hceled shoes 'chopines, es-
pecially enthralied the receptive man
from SOmerSetShire.
But. of still life. the Italian fan. the
Italian umbrella and the Italian fork
most pleased this travelled bucoic. Not
for fifty. years later did the parasol Of
under Jonas Hanway's introduction But
for laying forks on their tables did our
ancestors stand undoubtedly indebted to
Tom Coryate. AT first the conservative
British constitution waged fierce war on
the heathenish Innovation: topical fork
attacking songs were sung on the stage.
sonorous denunciation was leveled from
the pulpit.
But the fork had actually come to stay
malgre tout. and the better classes soon
found that. though fingers were made be-
fore forks. the latter could prove most
valuable aid-de-camp to the former. and
so three.pronged steel trdents gradually
made themselves Decessity to the
daintier section Of society. though 1t was
not until the merry days of Charles H.
that they became common with the mid
die classes. "A cut from the joint" was
not possible. therefore. to IA nation which
had spooned It's 'callimaufrys and
fingered its "gObbets" of meat for CEN
turtles.
Think of the dinner party where the /!
guests hungrily grabbed choice bits from
the dishes in their immediate neighbour |
hood. and. having dipped their 'gobbets''
In sauceboatS. which were mere common |
wealths of gravy. then proceeded to get |
the dripping morsel Indoors with the |
best grace they might. Truly there are !
for not having dwelt in |
We good old times. Silver forks were con-
sdcred the last extreme Of fOppery In |
The seventeenth century, and even early |
in our own good queens reign black
handled. steei-prongcd Instruments were
he only wear Of lower and middle
,iasSes.
In the days of Queen Anne forks were
treated variousIy to prOngs, some being
made with two. while many counted to
six. Yellow handles had a vogue one
year. green another. and SO on. until
very shade in the rainbow was reached.
Many OF these quaint relics are still pre-
served as heirlooms. and in one north
'ppntry mansion 4 set of pink coral
aandle,i. pfarl-inlaii forks are used on
'reat occasions which tradition has it