Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Absurdity, Folly, And Inconsistency Of Various Fashionable Customs And Ceremonies
ON THE ABSURDITY , FOLLY , AND INCONSISTENCY OF VARIOUS FASHIONABLE CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES
VRACTISILO IS PUBLIC A . VD PRIVATE COMPANIES . Vivere est coqitare el videre .
I HAVE been led into a reflection upon the many useless , superfluous , inconsistent , and troublesome customs and ceremonies which still subsist among us in our most social and entertaining meetings ; and which are so absurd and ridiculous in themselves , that they rather serve to confound and perplex , than to support the dignity of society , or give consequence to individuals .
True politeness consists in ease , to which good sense is a happy auxiliary . Form and false parade stick close to the ignorant and the vulgar . ¦ 1 have seen two ladies from Petticoat Lane stand for five minutes curtsying with , "No , Madam , indeed , Mam—' pan my honour—I cannot go first , Madam , " it raining perhaps all the time : —and all this
about who should fiist ascend the step to a greasy hackney coach . In entering a room , public or private , you will frequently find two old dames drawn forth in their stiffest silks , wrangling who shall first advance ; by which tiresome ceremony , the rear is thrown into disorder . At dinner , again , if the mistress ofthe house help some lady first , the sweet creature , to shew her politeness , will not touch her victuals till the table is served round ; bv which means she loses the comfort
of her dinner , her meat being quite cold' before she tastes it ; and if tiny thing better than usual is provided for her , she is sure not to touch it , by way of shewing her manners . I went a few days ago to dine in the country with a lady , who was lately initiated into the mysteries of the carving knife , which she handles to admiration ; and nobody cuts up the wing of a chicken , or parts ' off the Jeg of a-pigeonwoodcock-fashionwith greater elegance
•, , and grace than she does : in short , she helps her guests to fish , flesh , and fowl , vegetables , puddings , and pies with that politeness , neatness , and propriety , that none come to her table but go away satisfied and charmed . We had n genteel repast , the most exquisite wines , and what rendered the whole more agreeable , mirth and good-humour , till there remained onlyto fill up the chinksa delicious plum tartand some
, , macaroni , with toasted Parmesan cheese . Here the good lady beginning to cut the tart , was interrupted by another lady , who observed that the macaroni and Parmesan should be eaten first . — "Dear Madam , I never saw such a thing in my life—give me leave '' -
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Absurdity, Folly, And Inconsistency Of Various Fashionable Customs And Ceremonies
ON THE ABSURDITY , FOLLY , AND INCONSISTENCY OF VARIOUS FASHIONABLE CUSTOMS AND CEREMONIES
VRACTISILO IS PUBLIC A . VD PRIVATE COMPANIES . Vivere est coqitare el videre .
I HAVE been led into a reflection upon the many useless , superfluous , inconsistent , and troublesome customs and ceremonies which still subsist among us in our most social and entertaining meetings ; and which are so absurd and ridiculous in themselves , that they rather serve to confound and perplex , than to support the dignity of society , or give consequence to individuals .
True politeness consists in ease , to which good sense is a happy auxiliary . Form and false parade stick close to the ignorant and the vulgar . ¦ 1 have seen two ladies from Petticoat Lane stand for five minutes curtsying with , "No , Madam , indeed , Mam—' pan my honour—I cannot go first , Madam , " it raining perhaps all the time : —and all this
about who should fiist ascend the step to a greasy hackney coach . In entering a room , public or private , you will frequently find two old dames drawn forth in their stiffest silks , wrangling who shall first advance ; by which tiresome ceremony , the rear is thrown into disorder . At dinner , again , if the mistress ofthe house help some lady first , the sweet creature , to shew her politeness , will not touch her victuals till the table is served round ; bv which means she loses the comfort
of her dinner , her meat being quite cold' before she tastes it ; and if tiny thing better than usual is provided for her , she is sure not to touch it , by way of shewing her manners . I went a few days ago to dine in the country with a lady , who was lately initiated into the mysteries of the carving knife , which she handles to admiration ; and nobody cuts up the wing of a chicken , or parts ' off the Jeg of a-pigeonwoodcock-fashionwith greater elegance
•, , and grace than she does : in short , she helps her guests to fish , flesh , and fowl , vegetables , puddings , and pies with that politeness , neatness , and propriety , that none come to her table but go away satisfied and charmed . We had n genteel repast , the most exquisite wines , and what rendered the whole more agreeable , mirth and good-humour , till there remained onlyto fill up the chinksa delicious plum tartand some
, , macaroni , with toasted Parmesan cheese . Here the good lady beginning to cut the tart , was interrupted by another lady , who observed that the macaroni and Parmesan should be eaten first . — "Dear Madam , I never saw such a thing in my life—give me leave '' -