The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-12-20


stood to carve 1t.
In those DAYS II was considered a matter OF
course that q lady should know how to carve,
Though Gas was the case with the mistress OF
Mount Vermont she might not spell correctly.
kThe accomplishment like the making Of jams and
cider was appropriate for housewife
Christmas at Mount Vernon In those times was
an exceedingly jolly and festive occasion. Wash
lngton was the richest man In Virginia, and the
equipments of his household we're In many re-
spects more luxurious than could be found In the
houses of his rwell-to-do neighbors. For example,
The guests at this Christmas dinner were provided
with silver forks-a rare luxury at that period,
when gentlemen customarlly ate with their
knives. because It was out of the question to lift
peas and many other such edlbles to the mouth
with the three-tined steel forks commonly in use.
1t is a shock to learn that the father of his
country ate with his knife yet such is undeniably
the fact That sage historian Peter Farley, tells
h story (probably apOchryphal) 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
Bknife suspended, he again transfxed the man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over
come was the would-be posoner by Washngton's
seeming prescence that he fled from the table
hnd the perous 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 servtors were attired in a handsome
bnd even striking livery of scarlet white and gold,
pnd the butler was dream of gorgeousness One
pan for each two guests was the minimum allow
hnce. Not only were there vlands to be supplied,
put 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
bll 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
Through this Christmas dinner the bottles were
Rept going around. Mr.. Bryan Fairfax of Alexan-
Edra would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
fable, George, glass of wine with you" with
pleasure. Cousin Bryant the latter would reply,
Is he bowed and drank. Then Mr.. Fairfax would
10 through the same performance with every man
1T the table-and so 1t went throughout the
tepast
The eatables served at tho dinner were nearly
pill of them products Of the Mount Vernon estate.
From gastronomlc point of view, no region In
khe world was richer than that section of old
Virginia. There were canvasback ducks TO be
shot ON the river in front of the house partrdges
and venison were plentiful, and the proprietor Of
The mansion raised his own beef pork, and NUT
hon. The only vegetables were sweet potatoes,
white potatoes, and beans.
From a latterday standpoint the repast was
conducted In a peculiar fashion. All the dishes,
including three kinds of meats and several of
game, were put on the table at once. While Mrs.
Washington carved the turkey the gentlemen who
happened to be opposite the mutton the yenison,
etc. were expected to lend expert assistance In
khe dissection of those comestibles. The buildings
were eaten before the withdrawal Of the cloth, the
removal of which left bare a 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-
brate curtsy to the gentlemen, and the latter
would bow profoundly in response. With the re-
tirement of the women the real drinking would