POLITENESS OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 926, 16 March 1881, Page 2

POLITENESS OF OUR FOREFATHERS.

Not long since, whilst turning over the dusty contents of a box of books labelled “ all at 6d,” my attention was drawn to a rusty little 12m0., bound in well-worn sheepskin. A short examination showed it was complete, and for the small sum of sixpence I became the possessor of a literary treasure which has since afforded me much gratification and amusement : —“ The Rules of Civility ; or, Certain AVays of Deportment Observed in France, amongst all Persons of Quality, upon Several Occasions. Translated out of French.” Such is the title of the work which has brought up this train of ideas, and its perusal goes far to convince me that our ancestors were not to be envied. Of the instructions given for behaviour at table the following are the most curious of those that are fit for general perusal: —“ In eating observe to let your hands be clean ; feed not with both your hands, nor keep your knife in your hand ; dip not your fingers in the sauce, nor lick when you have done, wipe your mouth, and keep your spoon clean. Gnaw not bones, nor handle dogs, nor spawn upon the floor ; and if you have occasion to sneeze or cough, take your hat, or put your napkin before your face. Drink not with your mouth full nor unwiped, nor so long till you are forced to breathe in the glass. He must have a care his hand be not first in the dish, unless he be desired to help his neighbours. If you be carv’d, ’tis but civil to accept whatever is offered, pulling off your hat still when it is done by a superior. To give anything from your own plate to another to eat of, though he be an inferior, savours of arrogance much less an apple or a pear that hath been bit by you before. Have a care likewise of blowing froth from off a cup, or any dust from roasted apple or a toast; for the proverb saith, ‘ There is no wind, but there is some rain. We are to wipe our spoon every time we put it into the dish; some people being so delicate they will not eat after a man has ate with his spoon and not wiped it. ’Tis rude to drink to a lady of your own, much more of greater quality than yourself, with your hat on, and to be cover’d when she is drinking to you. AVhen dinner is going up to any nobleman’s table, tis civil and good manners to be uncover’d. If it so happens that you be alone together with a person of quality, aud the candle is to be snuffed you must do it with the snuffers, not your fingers, and that neatly an quick, lest the person of honour be offended with the smell.”-—Antiquary.