The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-07
Good Table Manners
a Matter of Habit

The best way to acquire good table
manners is through practicinG them
ut home. Therefore, in order to have
the various little rules and regulations
1T ones finger points. one must, To Il
certain extent. observe the COnvcn-
tionalities considered appropriate for
guests. In this way the little polite
nesses needed will not seem forced
and awkward. their constant use Civ
ing them a natural and simple grace
and so fitting the various members of
the family to dine with anybody.
New table appointments are of e.
very complicated sort and in very
fashionable circles the very shapes %
some of the forks and spoons used are
so battling as to confuse the mind o
the person who sees them for the first
time. These fancy tools, in all their
ra indications, are not required for III"
home table, and they are more used
anyway for the smarter social fUuc-
tiOns: but there are some little dress"
touches which the family board should
present At all times. The cloth or plate
mats Immediately clean. FURNISHED
silver. glass and china, the vase of
flowers or the jardinierc of ferns
these gentle and easily acquired
touches are open TO all and add DrodI-
riOusly to the fnmily'S self-respcct
when they arc matter OF every da V
with it's thick chunk of bread. the
service plate set At each place. knives
and spoons at the right and forks, at
the 1cft-spoons and forks with pronrs
and bowls up-One goblet set on its
bottom aud not ovcrturned-these are
the features of each cover at a well
arranged HON" table.
IT is only possible to serve meal
in courses when there are servants in
the house. but the method is observed
in all smart homes. and even with only
Il maid of all work it can he done ac-
ceptahly. But the mistress of the house
or her daughter or daughters must
help III many little ways. Of course,
such as setting the table. washing M
the lighter CrO"kery, etc Upon IL.
ladies devolvcs the care of the table
flowers, the cutting Of bread. the max
ing of the salad and perhaps the cof-
fee and tea if the ono maid has not
subtIcr duties. As an criCurcan puts
it. ON" cup of good coffee will re-
deem the worst breakfast" and the
same thing can he said about the
luncheon cup of tr;l. IN point Of any
thing served, in fact, proper cooking
il not only spur 10 cheCrfUlncSs. bur
gives Il sign of SOph!Sr LcatiOu. Deli
cate ralates are matter Of training
end 50 good cooking suggests that ;he
homo j. used to The rcfnemcntS of life.
rs an open sesame to the doors OF So
CIcfy. there is no stronger evidence of
z new ncIEhbor's social dcsirlhil,ry
than that She keeps good table. /
she is hospitality inclined. serving tea
and some dainty bite to her first call
crs. she viii soon hav" = visiting list
as big rs she can manage or her en-
yironmcnt permits.
With the serving and disposal of
every home meal the family can per-
feet itself in All the small courtcsies
needed elsewhere, and SO lie at perfect
ease when the stranger drops in.
breakfast in most homes is gloomy
meal and yet unless some fearful dis
astcr impcuds or has already fallen.
cheerful couutenances and pleasant
good mornings are far more natural
than the blues.
So the mistress Of the house must
frown down bad morning manners. just
a she must insist upon the polite IN
cUSc me when anybody wishes to
leave the table before the meal is
over. She must see tina; the maid
wears clean apron while serving