PERSONS OF QUALITY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 135, 4 December 1929, Page 18

PERSONS OF QUALITY

BULES FOR DEPORTMENT

Amusing light is thrown upon the ipcial customs of the leaders of society in the time of Charles 11. in an article in the "National Eeview" for September- by Viscountess Gormanston, who gives extracts from a book called "i.'he Kuleß of Civility, or Certain "Ways of Deportment Observed Among All Persons of Quality Upon Several Occasions." The work was intended a3 a guide to young noblemen entering society, and it reflects in a remarkable manner a coarse but picturesque period;

On entering the house of a nobleman "you must not put on your Hat unless his Lordship commands it; you must enter with your Gloves on, and when you . are placed sit quietly on your seat—not clapping your legs under your knee, nor playing with yftur Bandstrings, your Hat, or your Gloves, etc., nor scratching yourself. If his Lordship be seated by the fire you must bo careful how you Spit into the chimney; much less must you play with, the tongs or tamper with the fire. If his Lordship chance to sneeze you must not bawl out 'God bless you, Sir,' but pull off your hat, bow handsomely, and invoke the blessing quietly. In conference with a Person of Quality it would' be sawey and ridiculous to pull him by the Buttons, Bandstrings, or. Belt; and most of all to punch him in the Stomach. It is also unbecoming to make Paces, to roul your Tongue in your Mouth, or to turn up your Moustaches." Great tact was necessary in addressing a Lady. "You would be unmannerly to say of one Lady to another, 'I know her well, she is fat and swarthy like your Ladyship,', nor must you fall into the habit of a' saying to a- Lady by way of greeting,, 'Good God! how ill-favouredly you look.' It is indecent in the company of Ladies, or any other serious persons, to pull off your Cloak or Doublet, to pair your nails, to pick your teeth, or scratch your head or any other part." Table manners .of the day called for the.most instruction. "You must not by any awkward gesture show any signs that you are hungry, nor fix your Eyes upon the Meat as if you would devour it all. ■ 'Tis not manners as soon as you are: set at the table to bawl out, 'I eat none of this, I eat none of that; I care for no rabbit; I loVe nothing that tastes of; Pepper, Nutmeg, Onyons, etc' How hungry soever you be, it is not decent to eat hastily or ravenously as if you would choke yourself. .