The Tomahawk., 1918-12-26

|course that a lady should know how to carve
Though (as was the case with the mistress on
mount Yernon) she might not spell correctly.
The accomplishment like the making OF jams ana
Ecider, was appropriate for housewife.
i Christmas at Mount Vernon In those times was
Ian exceedingly jolly and festive occasion. Wash
|ington was the richest man in Virginia. and the
euuipments of his household were in many re-
ksDects more luxurious than could be found In the
houses of his well-tOdo neighbors. For example,
khe guests at this Christmas dinner were PROVIDED
with silver forks-a rare luxury at that PERIOD
hvhen gentlemen customarily ate with their
knives because it was out Of the question to lift
peas and many other such edib1es to the mouth
with the three-tined steel forks commonly In use.
I It Is q shock to learn that the father OF his
fountry ate with his knife, yet such Is undenably
1.-The fact. That sage historian, Peter Farley, tells
"a story (probably apochryphaD of an occasion
twhen somebody tried to kill the immortal George
by putting poison on his peas. Showing his knifo
beneath few Of them, and raising them to MS
Hips, he looked across the table at his enemy, and
said, "Shall I eat of these?' Still holding the
knife suspended, he again transfxed tie man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over.
come was the would-be poisoner by Washingtons
seeming prescience that he fed from the table
and the perilous peas remained uneaten.
i At that epoch in Virginia, the men who waited
on the table in most of the country houses wore
plantation garb At Mount Vernon however. the
household servitors were attired In a handsome
and even striking livery Of scarlet, white and gold
nnd the butler was dream OF gorgeOusness. one
man for each two guests was the minimum allow.
hnce Not only were there viands to be supplied,
put constant succession Of bottles containing
wines Of choice vintage for the consumption of
the male guests. :. .s-v .. .'s, r..
4; 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 as
the height Of improperly. But for the men-all
Kept going around. Mr.. Bryan Fairfax Of Alexan-
dria would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
table, George a glass of wine with your "With
pleasure, Cousin Bryant the latter would reply,
hs he bowed and drank. Then Mr.. Fairfax would
30 through the same performance with every man
lat the table-and so It went throughout the
Fepast. y ...'%
The entables served at the dinner were nearly
al of them products of the Mount Vernon estate.
From gastrOnomic point Of view, no region in
the world was richer than that section of old
Virginia. There were canvasback ducks to be
shot on the river in front of the house parridges
and yenison were plentiful, and the proprietor of
the mansion raised his own beef, pork, and NUT
Ton. The only vegetables were sweet potatoes,
white potatoes, and beans. r. .~-% -,
| From latter-day standpoint the repast was
conducted in peculiar fashion. All the Dishes
Including three kinds Of meats and several Of
I game were put on the table at once. While Mrs.
Washington carved the turkey, the gentlemen who
happened to be opposite the mutton, the venison
etc, were expected to lend expert assistance in
The dissection Of those comestibles. The puddngs
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. 49,.
3 When the cloth had been withdrawn. the host
would lift his glass, filed with choice Madeira.
hnd drink the health of his guests. Five minutes
pf general conversation would follow, perhaps,
k.>I Ct4 n11y
bgnal for the departure Of the ladies. Every
body would get up; the ladies would make an elab.
brate curtsy to the gentlemen, and the latter
gould bow profoundly in response. With the re-
hrement of the women the real drinking would
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