Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-16
MANNERS AT TASLG.
A Lesson in the Laws and Usages of
Polite Society.

10 be well hammered is to be Il lady
or q gentleman, to observe punctili-
ously all the laws and usages Of soci-
ETY.. which is important unless one
would be oSuraciZed.
If the Observation-Disclosures, luncheon
or dinncr-is one of ceremony and
gloves are worn to the table they are
removed as soon as Ole is seated and
laid in tho lap. The habit Of tucl1ing
them in the sleeves, at the wrists. is
most inelesant. The napkin is unfold
ed to half its amplitude ard laid across
the lap. Gentlemen do not tuck their
napkins in their WaStcOatS. 10 matter
how convenient they may find such an
arrangement. Nor is the napkin used
as if 1t We're a big cloth. ono end is
all sufficient for touching, the lips. The
napkins, ut dinner placed upon the
plates, hold the dinner rolls or the
slices of bread. which must be cut
generously thick. The bread is placed
upon the napkin, not within its folds.
Remove the bread as soon as seated
and place it at thu left of the plate.
The napkin. at the end of the meal. is
left unfolded at the left side.
Bread is always broken in small
pieces, never cut and never crumbleG
into soup or rcr1ar. oysters and CLAIMS
are eaten Waugh bread. Butter, OF
course is nod. we'd at dinner. At
other meals 1n't butter an entire slice
of bread at once. Break it into small
pieces and put the butter upon each in
turn. Don't break the entire slice at
once into bits. Let it lie by the plate
aud hIttCr q niece oS wanted
Soup is taken from the side of the
spoon. which is filed by drawing it up
from the edge of the soup plate oppo-
site. 1t is quite breach of SAVIOR
faire to fill it with the movement to-
ward you. Soup. of course, must be
taken noiselessfya No one takes n sec
ond helping or tips the plate to secure
the last mouthful.
Fish in days past was taken from Il
fork supplemented by bit of bread.
Nowadays a silver knife is allowable.
forks and knives for fish being made
of a special pattern. All vegetables
are eaten with a fork, asparagus with
a knife and fork. although it may be
taken up with fingers if one prefers to
do so. A very safe rule at table, how
ever. is never to touch any bit of food
with the fingers, olives and hors
d'oeuvres generally excepted.
Ice cream is eaten with fork in
America. In England a spoon is used.
With all Difference to English custom.
very safe rule is eat nothing with
spoon that can be taken with fork.
Peaches and pears are peeled. cut in
half and then broken by the fork and
thus eaten. An orange may be cut In
half and then eaten with an orange
spoon or it may be peeled entire then
divided into sections and eaten with a
fork AS already said. it is very safe
! to make the knife and fork do their
share and never to touch eata bles of
any kind with the fingers If possible.
All pies are eaten with fork only,
and most puddings, except custards
which require spoon. Soft cakes. like
layer cake or eclairs. are taken with a
fork. Jellies. TO matter how hard. are
eaten with a spoon. Cheese is eaten with
a fork.
There are dozens Of people who would
be mortally offended by the suggestion