Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-12-20

lfIAsgSa1I< vs. husband was then only an
kEyxaA NIX eminent citizen of Virginia
" SszAAAAJ rolled up her sleeves and
stood to carve It,
IN those days it was considered matter OF
course that d 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 was appropriate for housewife.
Christmas at Mount Vernon in those times was
an exceedingly jolly and festive occasion Wash
angton 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 rare luxury at that period,
when gentlemen customarily ate with their
knives because 1t was out Of the question to lift
peas and many other such edbles to the mouth
with the three-Hned steel forks commonly In use.
It is q shock to learn that the father of his
country ate with his knife, yet such Is undenlably
THE fact That sage historian, Peter Farley, teHs
"a 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 them to his
APPS he looked across the table at his enemy, and
said, "ShaIl eat of theseT Still holding the
ss1ife suspended, he again transhxed the man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over
come was the would-be poIsoner by Washlngton's
seeming precedence that he fled from the table
pnd the perilous 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 a handsome
and even striking livery Of scarlet white and gold,
and the butler was a dream Of goFgeOusness. One
fnan for each two guests was the minimum allow.
ance. Not only were there vands 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
ail 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-
drla would say to Mr.. g. W. Lewis across the
table, George glass Of wine with you!" with
pleasure, Cousin Bryant" the latter would reply,
NJ he bowed and drank. Then Mr.. Fairfax would
no through the same performance with every man
at the table-and so 1t went throughout the
kepast
The eatables served at the dinner were nearly
Rll OF them products Of the Mount Vernon estate.
Hrom gastronomlc point Of view, no region In
Virginia. There were canvasback ducks to be
shot the river In front of the house cartridges
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 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 venlson
etc, were expected to lend expert assistance In
the dissection Of those comestbles. The buildings
were eaten before the withdrawal Of the CLOTH the
FNmoval of which left bare shiny expanse Of
mahogany, upon which the fruit, nuts and de-
ranters were set forth in festive array.
When the cloth had been withdrawn, the host
would lift bis glass, filed with choice Madeira,
and drink the health Of his guests. Five minutes
pf 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-
prate curtsy to the gentlemen and the latter
would bow profoundly in response With the re.
firement Of the women the real drinking would