Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1918-12-19

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IN those days It was considered Z 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.
The accomplishment, like the making Of jams and
cider. was appropriate for. Q housewife
Christmas Mt Mount Vernon In those times was
m exceedingly jolly and festive occasion. Wash,
lnston 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 weii-tO.do neighbors For example,
the guests at this Christmas dinner were provided
with silver forks-a rnre luxury at that period,
when gentlemen cust0marily ate with their
knives because 1t was out Of the question to lift
Osas and many other such ediblss to the mouth
with the three.tined steel forks commonly In use.
Il IL a shock to learn that the father Of his
cosintry ate with his knife: yet such s undeniably
the fact That sage historian. Peter Farley. tells
d story (probably apochryphal) Of an occasion
when somebody tried to kill the immortal George
~ 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 these1" Stil holding the
knife Suspended. he again transnxed tie man
with his gaze and repeated the question. So over.
come was the would-be poisoner by Washingtons
seeming precedence that he fed from the table
and 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.
ana the butler was dream Of gorgeousness One
man Tor each two guests was the minimum allow.
Anco. Not only were there viands to be supplied,
nut a constant succession Of bottles containing
wines OF choice vintage for the consumption of
the male guests.
Ladies' in those DAYS drank next to nothing nj
al. TO take more than a sip Of wine. for either
maid or matron, would have been regarded as
mo height OF improperly. But for the men-all
Through this Christmas dinner the bottles we're
Kept going around. Mr.. Bryan Fairfax of Alexan-
drla would say to Mr.. G. w. Lewis across the
kaoie, George. glass Of wine with you" 'With
pleasure, Cousin Bryant" the latter would reply,
~ he bowed and drunk. Then Mr.. Fairfax would
30 through the same performance with every man
at the table-and 20 1t went throughout the
Eepast.
The entables served ut the dinner were nearly
all OF them products Of the Mount Vernon estate.
From gastronrmic point Of view, no region In
the world was .iclier than that section of old
virginia There were canyasback ducks to be
shot on the river In front Of the house partridges
and venison were plentiful and the proprietor Of
the mansion raised Ms 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. were put on the table Mt once While Mrs
Washington carved the turkey, the gentlemen who
happened to be opposite the mutton, the venison,
etc. were expected to lend e--pert assistance in
the dissection Of those c0mestibles. The buildings
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 festi.e 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
hignal for the departure Of the ladies. Every
body would get up; the ladies would make an ela6
Drate curtsy to the gentlemen. and the latter
would bow profoundly In response With the re
ttrement of the women the real drinking would