The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1918-12-19


In those days II was 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
rhe accomplishment, like the making Of jams and
cider was appropriate for a housewife.
Christmas at Mount Vernon In those times was
an exceedingly jolly and festive occasion. wash
ingtOn was the richest man In Virginia, and the
equipments of his household were in many re-
spects more luxurious than could be found In the
houses Of his weto-do neghbors. For example,
the guests at this Christmas dinner were provided
with silver forks-a rare luxury at that period.
when gentlemen custOmarly ate with their
knives because 1t out Of the question to lift
peas and many other such edlbles to the mouth
with the three-tined steel forks commonly In use.
It is shock to learn that the father Of his
country ate with his knife yet such Is undenably
the fact. That sage historian Peter Farley, tells
story (probaby apochrypha) of an 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 eat of these? Still holding the
knife suspended, he again transfxed the man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over
come was the would-be pOisoner by Washlngtons
seeming prescience that he fled from the table
and the perllous peas remained uneaten.
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 handsome
and even striking livery of scarlet white and gold
and the butler was dream of gorgeousness. One
man for each two guests the minimum allow
anoe. Not only were there vlands to be supplied
nut II 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 rs
the height of impropriety But for the men-all
through this Christmas dinner the bottles were
kept going around Mr. Bryan Fairfax of Alexan-
dra would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
table, George glass of wine with you'll" with
pleasure Cousin Bryant" the latter would reply,
as he bowed and drank Then Mr.. Fairfax would
go through the same performance with every man
nt the table-and so 1t went throughout the
repast.
The eatabes served at the dinner were nearly
all 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; partridges
and venison 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.
From latter-day standpoint the repast was
conducted in peculiar fashion All the dishes,
including three kinds Of meats and several of
game, 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 comestlbles. The puddings
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-
tlrement of the women the real drinking would