* * * * *
_To the Carver._
If any Gentleman who attends the Table, be employed or commanded to cut
up any Fowl or Pig, or any thing else whatsoever, it is requisite that
he have a clean Napkin upon his Arm, and a Knife and Fork for his use,
that he take that dish he should carve from the Table till he hath made
it ready for his Superiours to eat, and neatly and handsomly to carve
it, not touching of it so near as he can with his Fingers, but if he
chance unawares to do so, not to lick his Fingers, but wipe them upon a
Cloth, or his Napkin, which he hath for that purpose; for otherwise it
is unhandsom and unmannerly; the neatest Carvers never touch any Meat
but with the Knife and Fork; he must be very nimble lest the Meat cool
too much, and when he hath done, return it to the Table again, putting
away his Carving Napkin, and take a clean one to wait withal; he must be
very Gentile and Gallant in his Habit, lest he be deemed unfit to attend
such Persons.
* * * * *
_To all other Men-Servants or Maid-Servants who commonly attend such
Tables._
They must all be neat and cleanly in their Habit, and keep their Heads
clean kembed, always ready at the least Call and very attentive to hear
any one at the Table, to set Chairs or Stools, and not to give any a
foul Napkin, but see that every one whom their Lord or Master is pleased
to admit to their Table, have every thing which is fit for them, and
that they change their Plates when need shall be; also that they observe
the eyes of a Stranger what they want, and not force them still to want
because they are silent, because it is not very modest for an Inferiour
to speak aloud before their Betters; and it is more unfit they should
want, since they have leave to eat and drink: they must wait diligently,
and at a distance from the Table, not daring to lean on the Chaires for
soiling them, or shewing Rudeness; for to lean on a Chair when they
wait, is a particular favour shewn to any superiour Servant, as the
Chief Gentleman, or the Waiting Woman when she rises from the Table;
they must not hold the Plates before their mouths to be defiled with
their Breath, nor touch them on the right side; when the Lord, Master,
Lady or Mistress shew that favour to drink to any Inferiour, and do
command them to fill for them to pledge them, it is not modesty for them
to deny Strangers that favour, as commonly they do, but to fulfill their
Commands, or else they dishonour the Favour.
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