1. This is a strictly orthodox affair, and to provide a suitable luncheon is almost
as great a test of one's catering powers as to triumph in a dinner. It is true that it
is usually considered only a light repast, made up of elegant little trifles, but amongst
fashionable people, the table is often dressed and garlanded as if for a ceremonious
dinner, and a great variety of dishes are sei-ved.
To this affair, invitations are sent out, which may be autographic, or the visiting
card, with date and hour added, will answer, thus:
Mrs. John Smythe.
Luncheon at 12% Wednesday, Oct. 9th, '83.
How to Serve. — Some have the luncheon brought to the table in courses, but
this adds a stiffness and formality not to be desired. The most pleasant way is to
have the dishes upon the table, and to dispense with the aid of servants.
The luncheon at a bridal party is usually more formal ; on such occasions it is
customary to darken the room and light the gas or wax candles, by whose aid the
feast is eaten.
390 TWENTIETH CENTURY HOME COOK BOOK.
Boquets presented to each guest with their napkin, and vases containing rich but
not gaudy flowers are a great help to this meal.
The dress for this occasion is, of course, a street costume, but this should be fresh
and elegant. The observances at luncheon are not rigidly formal, and, in fact, when
well managed, this is one of the most delightfully pleasant and informal of all social
meetings.
XVIII. Etiquette of Dress and Conversation.
1. Chesterfield, accounting for the benefits that accrue from a polite demeanor
rightly said, that but few possessed or were judges of science, art and grand achieve-
ments, but that all understand and appreciate grace, civility and politeness.
2. To be ignorant of the customs and usages of society will cause one to become
constrained and bashful, and blunders and awkwardness are the result.
3. All this may easily be avoided by the study and acquirement of the few
rules necessary to our guidance through all the shoals, rocks and quicksands of igno-
rance, awkwardness and ill-breeding. This being the case, is it not worth our while
to make ourselves familiar with the canons of polite society, since it is with that class,
if any, that we should desire to mingle.
XIX. The Golden Rule.
True politeness is merely the practical observance, in small matters, of the
"golden rule:" Not to offend the tastes of another; not to annoy him ; not to place
self before our neighbor, are the bases of all etiquette.
2. State your opinions plainly and mildly. Never talk loudly, nor make broad
sweeping assertions.
3. Never offer to back up an opinion with a bet. Of course no gentleman will
be guilty of the rudeness of an oath.
4. Always show a deference to age.
5. Never contradict any one flatly ; always beg leave, smilingly, not sarcastically,
to differ with them.
6. Never anticipate a slight, nor be ever ready to take one.
7. Above all, never give way to abusive argument or a quarrel.
8. Loud laughter and slang phrases are the wit and humor of the jockey and
the clown. No lady or gentleman can afford to use them.
XX. Things to Avoid.
1. The most despicable figure in society is that of the coarse, purse-proud man
or woman, who depends solely upon money for standing and consideration. Next to
these, if not in the same rank, is the vulgar creature who knows everything.
2. Never volunteer an opinion, nor trj^ to monopolize the conversation.
3. It is not necessary to be foppish in order to be neat. The fop is as far at
one extreme as the slouch is at the other.
PHILOSOPHY ANJJ PRECEPTS OF ETIQUETTE.
391
4. Dress quietly, but lut the material be ricli ; never dress loudly, and avoid
much jewelry.
5. Never wear iilatcd ornaments nor imitation nenis.
G. Never whisijer in eomi)an\', nor attemiit to monoiiolizc the attention of a
person. , ,,
Page 223
Presented as published in 1905. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
1. This is a strictly orthodox affair, and to provide a suitable luncheon is almost as great a test of one's catering powers as to triumph in a dinner. It is true that it is usually considered only a light repast, made up of elegant little trifles, but amongst fashionable people, the table is often dressed and garlanded as if for a ceremonious dinner, and a great variety of dishes are served.
To this affair, invitations are sent out, which may be autographic, or the visiting card, with date and hour added, will answer, thus:
Mrs. John Smythe. Luncheon at 12% Wednesday, Oct. 9th, '83.
How to Serve. — Some have the luncheon brought to the table in courses, but this adds a stiffness and formality not to be desired. The most pleasant way is to have the dishes upon the table, and to dispense with the aid of servants.
The luncheon at a bridal party is usually more formal ; on such occasions it is customary to darken the room and light the gas or wax candles, by whose aid the feast is eaten.
Bouquets presented to each guest with their napkin, and vases containing rich but not gaudy flowers are a great help to this meal.
The dress for this occasion is, of course, a street costume, but this should be fresh and elegant. The observances at luncheon are not rigidly formal, and, in fact, when well managed, this is one of the most delightfully pleasant and informal of all social meetings.
XVIII. Etiquette of Dress and Conversation.
1. Chesterfield, accounting for the benefits that accrue from a polite demeanor rightly said, that but few possessed or were judges of science, art and grand achievements, but that all understand and appreciate grace, civility and politeness.
2. To be ignorant of the customs and usages of society will cause one to become constrained and bashful, and blunders and awkwardness are the result.
3. All this may easily be avoided by the study and acquirement of the few rules necessary to our guidance through all the shoals, rocks and quicksands of ignorance, awkwardness and ill-breeding. This being the case, is it not worth our while to make ourselves familiar with the canons of polite society, since it is with that class, if any, that we should desire to mingle.
XIX. The Golden Rule.
True politeness is merely the practical observance, in small matters, of the "golden rule:" Not to offend the tastes of another; not to annoy him ; not to place self before our neighbor, are the bases of all etiquette.
2. State your opinions plainly and mildly. Never talk loudly, nor make broad sweeping assertions.
3. Never offer to back up an opinion with a bet. Of course no gentleman will be guilty of the rudeness of an oath.
4. Always show a deference to age.
5. Never contradict any one flatly ; always beg leave, smilingly, not sarcastically, to differ with them.
6. Never anticipate a slight, nor be ever ready to take one.
7. Above all, never give way to abusive argument or a quarrel.
8. Loud laughter and slang phrases are the wit and humor of the jockey and the clown. No lady or gentleman can afford to use them.
XX. Things to Avoid.
1. The most despicable figure in society is that of the coarse, purse-proud man or woman, who depends solely upon money for standing and consideration. Next to these, if not in the same rank, is the vulgar creature who knows everything.
2. Never volunteer an opinion, nor trj^ to monopolize the conversation.
3. It is not necessary to be foppish in order to be neat. The fop is as far at one extreme as the slouch is at the other.
4. Dress quietly, but lut the material be ricli ; never dress loudly, and avoid much jewelry.
5. Never wear iilatcd ornaments nor imitation nenis.
G. Never whisijer in eomi)an\', nor attemiit to monoiiolizc the attention of a person. , ,,