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Classic
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page 499
slip it into the vest or dress buttonholes, to protect their garments, or sew a
broad tape at two places on the napkin, and pass it over the head. When the soup
is eaten, wipe the mouth carefully with the napkin, and use it to wipe the hands
after meals. Finger bowls are not a general institution, and yet they seem to be
quite as needful as the napkin, for the fingers are also liable to become a
little soiled in eating. They can be had quite cheaply, and should be
half-filled with water, and placed upon the side table or butler's tray, with
the dessert, bread and cheese, etc. They are passed to each person half-filled
with water, placed on a parti-colored napkin with a dessert plate underneath,
when the dessert is placed upon the table. A leaf or two of sweet verbena, an
orange flower, or a small of lemon, is usually put into each bowl to rub upon
the fingers. The of lemon is most commonly used. The finger tips are slightly
dipped into the bowl, the lemon juice is squeezed upon them, and then they are
dried softly upon the napkin. At dinner parties and luncheons they are
indispensable.
Spoons are sometimes used with firm puddings, but forks are the better style. A
spoon should never be turned over in the mouth.
Ladies have frequently an affected way of holding the knife half-way down its
length, as if it were too big for their little hands; but this is as awkward a
way as it is weak; the knife should be grasped freely by the handle only, the
fore finger being the only one to touch the blade, and that only along the back
of the blade at its root, and no further down.
At the conclusion of a course, where they have been used, knife and fork should
be laid side by side across the middle of the plate--never crossed; the old
custom of crossing them was in obedience to an ancient religious formula. The
servant should offer everything at the left of the guest, that the guest may be
at liberty to use the right hand. If one has been given a napkin ring, it is
necessary to fold one's napkin and use the ring; otherwise the napkin should be
left unfolded. One's teeth are not to be picked at table; but if it is
impossible to hinder it, it should be done behind the napkin. One may pick a
bone at the table, but, as with corn, only one hand is allowed to touch it; yet
one can usually get enough from it with knife and fork, which is certainly the
more elegant way of doing; and to take her teeth to it gives a lady the look of
caring a little too much for the pleasures of the table; one is, however, on no
account to suck one's finger after it.
Wherever there is any doubt as to the best way to do a thing, it is wise to
follow that which is the most rational, and that will almost invariably be found
to be proper etiquette. To be at ease is a great step towards enjoying your own
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Classic
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