Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-12-12

IL.
In those DAYS it considered matter OF
course that lady should know how to carve.
though Gas was the case with the mistress of
Mount vernon) she might not spell correctly
The accomplishment, like the making of jams and
cider, appropriate for housewife.
Christmas Mount Vernon in those times was
exceedingly jolly and festive occasion WASH
ington the richest man in Virginia, ana the
equipments household We're in many re-
spects more luxurious than could be found in the
houses of his well-to-do neighbors. For example,
the guests this Christmas dinner were provided
with silver forks-a luxury at that period,
when gentlemen customarily ate with their
knives. because it out of the question to lift
peas and many other such ed1bieS TO the mouth
with the three-tined steel forks commonly in use
1t is shock learn that the father of his
country ate with his knife, yet such Is undenably
the fact. That sage historian, Peter Farley, tells
a story (probab1y apochrypha1) of occasion
when somebody tried to kill the immortal George
by putting poison on his peas. Showing his knife
beneath few of them and raising them to his
lips he looked across the table at his enemy, and
said. "Shall I eat of theseT' Still holding the
knife suspended he again transfxed The man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over
the wouldbe poisoner by Washingtons
seeming prescience that he fed from the table
and the perilous peas remained uneaten.
AT that epoch, in Virginia, the men who waited
on the table in most of the country houses
plantation garb. At Mount Vernon however, the
household servitors. attired in handsome
and striking livery of scarlet, white and gold,
and the butler was a dream of gorgeousness- One
man for each two guests was the minimum allow
Not only there viands be supplied,
but constant succession of bottles containing
wines of choice vintage for the consumption of
the male guests.
Ladies in those days drank next to nothing at
all. To take more than sip of wine, for either
maid or matron, would have been regarded
the height of improperly. But for the men-all
through this Christmas dinner the bottles
kept going around Mr.. Bryan Fairfax of Alexan-
dria would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
table. George. glass of wine with you'll" with
pleasure, Cousin Bryan" the latter would reply.
as he bowed and drank Then Mr. Fairfax would
go through the same performance with every man
at the tabe-and it went throughout the
repast.
The eatables served at the dinner were nearly
all of them products of the Mount Vernon estate.
From a gastronOmic point of view, region in
the world was richer than that section of old
Virginia. There canvasback ducks to be
shot on the river in front of the house; partridges
ana venlson were plentiful, and the proprietor of
the mansion raised his beef, pork, and NUT
ton The only vegetables sweet potatoes
white potatoes, and beans.
From latter-day standpoint the repast
conducted in a peculiar fashion. All the dishes
game, were put the table at While Mrs
Washington carved the turkey the gentlemen who
happened to be opposite the mutton, the venson,
etc. were expected to lend expert assistance in
were eaten before the withdrawal of the CLOTH the
removal of which left bare shiny expanse of
mahogany, upon which the fruit, nuts, and de-
canterS were set forth in festive array.
When the cloth had been withdrawn the host
would lift his glass, filled with choice Madeira,
and drink the health of his guests. Five minutes
of general conversation would follow, perhaps
and then Mrs Washington would rise, giving the
signal for the departure of the ladies'. Every
body would get up; the ladies would make an elab-
crate curtsy to the gentlemen, and the latter
would bow profoundly in response With the re-
trement of the women the real drinking would