Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Various Modes Of Eating In Different Countries.
he wearies himself with singing , to divert the company while they eat . When civilization advances , we wish to shew our confidence to our friends : we treat them as relations : and it is said that , in China , the master of the house , to give a mark of his politeness , absents himself while his guests regale themselves at his table in undisturbed revelry . The demonstrations of friendshi p in a rude state have a savage and gross characterwhich is not a little curious to observe . The
, Tartars pull a man by the ear' to press him to drink ; and they continue tormenting him till he opens his mouth : and then clap their hands and dance before him . No customs seem more ridiculous than those practised by a Kamtschadale , when he wishes to make another his friend . He first invites him to eat . The host and his guest strip themselves in a cabinwhich ,
, is heated to an uncommon degree . While the guest devours the food with which they serve him , the other continually stirs the fire . The stranger must bear the excess of the heat , as well as of the repast . He vomits ten times before he will yield ; but , at length obliged to acknowledge himself overcome , he begins to compound matters . Pie purchases a moment ' s respite by a present of clothes or dogs ; for
his host threatens to heat the cabin and to oblige him to eat till he dies ; The stranger has the right of retaliation allowed to him : he treats in the same-manner , and exacts the same presents . Should his host not accept the invitation of his guest , whom he has so handsomel y regaled , he would come and inhabit his cabin till he had obtained from
him the presents he had in so singular a manner given to him . For this extravagant custom a curious reason has been alledged . It is meant to put the person to a trial whose friendship is sought . The Kamtschadale , who is at the expence of the fires and the repast , is desirous to know whether the stranger has the strength to support pain witli him , and if he is generous enough to share with him some part of his property . While the guest is employed on his it / iealhe
con-, tinues heating the cabin to an ttnsupportable degree ; ind , for a last proof of the stranger ' s constancy and . attachment , he exacts more clothes aud more dogs . The host passes through the same ceremonies in the cabin of the stranger ; and he shews , in his turn , with what degree of fortitude he can defend his friend . It is thus the most singular customs would appear simple , if it were possible for the
philosopher to contemplate them on the spot . As a distinguishing mark of their esteem , the negroes of Ardra drink out of one cup at the same time . The king of Loango eats in one house , and drinks in another . A Kamtschadale kneels before his guest ; he cuts an enormous slice from a sea calf ; he crams it entire into the mouth of his friendfuriously crying out— " Tina !
, —There ! " and cutting away what hangs about his lips , snatches and swallows it with avidity . A barbarous magnificence attended the feasts of the ancient mor narchs of France . We are informed that , after their coronation or consecration , when they sat at a table , the nobiiity served them on horseback .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Various Modes Of Eating In Different Countries.
he wearies himself with singing , to divert the company while they eat . When civilization advances , we wish to shew our confidence to our friends : we treat them as relations : and it is said that , in China , the master of the house , to give a mark of his politeness , absents himself while his guests regale themselves at his table in undisturbed revelry . The demonstrations of friendshi p in a rude state have a savage and gross characterwhich is not a little curious to observe . The
, Tartars pull a man by the ear' to press him to drink ; and they continue tormenting him till he opens his mouth : and then clap their hands and dance before him . No customs seem more ridiculous than those practised by a Kamtschadale , when he wishes to make another his friend . He first invites him to eat . The host and his guest strip themselves in a cabinwhich ,
, is heated to an uncommon degree . While the guest devours the food with which they serve him , the other continually stirs the fire . The stranger must bear the excess of the heat , as well as of the repast . He vomits ten times before he will yield ; but , at length obliged to acknowledge himself overcome , he begins to compound matters . Pie purchases a moment ' s respite by a present of clothes or dogs ; for
his host threatens to heat the cabin and to oblige him to eat till he dies ; The stranger has the right of retaliation allowed to him : he treats in the same-manner , and exacts the same presents . Should his host not accept the invitation of his guest , whom he has so handsomel y regaled , he would come and inhabit his cabin till he had obtained from
him the presents he had in so singular a manner given to him . For this extravagant custom a curious reason has been alledged . It is meant to put the person to a trial whose friendship is sought . The Kamtschadale , who is at the expence of the fires and the repast , is desirous to know whether the stranger has the strength to support pain witli him , and if he is generous enough to share with him some part of his property . While the guest is employed on his it / iealhe
con-, tinues heating the cabin to an ttnsupportable degree ; ind , for a last proof of the stranger ' s constancy and . attachment , he exacts more clothes aud more dogs . The host passes through the same ceremonies in the cabin of the stranger ; and he shews , in his turn , with what degree of fortitude he can defend his friend . It is thus the most singular customs would appear simple , if it were possible for the
philosopher to contemplate them on the spot . As a distinguishing mark of their esteem , the negroes of Ardra drink out of one cup at the same time . The king of Loango eats in one house , and drinks in another . A Kamtschadale kneels before his guest ; he cuts an enormous slice from a sea calf ; he crams it entire into the mouth of his friendfuriously crying out— " Tina !
, —There ! " and cutting away what hangs about his lips , snatches and swallows it with avidity . A barbarous magnificence attended the feasts of the ancient mor narchs of France . We are informed that , after their coronation or consecration , when they sat at a table , the nobiiity served them on horseback .