The Pulaskian. (Pulaski Heights [Little Rock], Ark.) 1915-1929, 1918-12-20

% SsAAAAO rolled UP her sleeves and
stood to carve it.
In those days it considered a matter or
course that lady should know how to carve,
though Gas was the case with the mistress Of
Mount Vernonl she might not spell correctly.
The accomplishment, like the making Of iams 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 well-to-do neighbors. For example,
the guests at 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 edibles to the mouth
with the three-tined steel forks commonly in use.
1t Is 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
story (probably apochryphaD 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 thea1 to his
lips he looked across the table at his enemy. and
said, Shall I eat Of theseY Still holding the
knife suspended he again transfxed the man
with his gaze and repeated the question So
come was the wouldbe poisoner by Washington's
seeming prescience that he fled from the table
and the perflous 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 even striking livery of scarlet, white and gold,
and the butler was dream of gorgeousness One
man tor each two guests the minimum allow
ance. Not only were there vands to be supplied,
but a constant succession OF bottles containing
wines of choice vintage for the consumpton 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 as
the height of improperly. But for the men--all
through this Christmas dinner the bottles were
kept going around. Mr.. Bryan Fairfax of Alexan-
dria would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
cable, George, glass of wine with you'll" with
pleasure, Cousin Bryant the latter would reply,
as he bowed and drank. Then Mr.. Fairfax would
30 through the same performance with every man
1t the table-and 1t went throughout the
eepast.
The eatabep served at the dinner were nearly
Ill 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 canvasback ducks to be
shot on the river Ia front of the house cartridges
and venison plentiful and the proprietor of
he mansion raised his 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 were put on the table at once. While Mrs.
washington carved the turkey, the gentlemen who
happened to be opposite the mutton, the venison,
Ntc., were expected to lend expert assistance in
the dissection of those comestibles The buildings
we're eaten before the withdrawal of the CLOTH the
removal of which left bare shiny expanse of
mahogany, upon which the fruit nuts, and de-
santers were set forth in festive array
When the cloth had been withdrawn the host
would lift his glass, filed with choice Madeira,
md drink the health of his guests. Five minutes
IT general conversation would follow, perhaps
and then Mrs Washington would rise, giving the
ngnal for the departure of the ladies' Every
body would get up the ladies' would make an eab-
pirate curtsy to the gentlemen, and the latter
would bow profoundly in response. With the re-
trement of the women the real drinking would