Part 6

The next which follows is this: Keep thy spoon, If thy plate is removed for the adding of some viands. If the spoon is in the plate, it puts out the helper. In all courtesies he does well who is heedful. 184

The next is this: If thou art eating with a spoon, Thou must not stuff too much bread into the victuals. He who lays it on thick upon the cooked meats, Is distasteful to those who are eating beside him. 188

The next that follows is this: If thy friend is with thee, As long as he eats at the board, always keep up with him. If thou perchance wert to leave off, and he were not yet satisfied, Maybe he also would then leave off through bashfulness. 192

The next is—Dining with others by some invitation, Put not back thy knife into the sheath before the time: Deposit not thy knife ere thy companion. Perhaps something else is coming to table which thou dost not reckon for. 196

The succeeding Courtesy is—When thou hast eaten, So do as that Jesus Christ be glorified therein. He who receives service from any that obeys, If he thanks him not, is too ungrateful. 200

The fiftieth for the last. Wash hands, then drink of the good and choice wine. After the meal, the hands may be a little washed, And cleansed from grease and impurity. 204

As far as I know (though I cannot affect to speak with authority) this poem by Fra Bonvicino, and those by Francesco da Barberino of which we shall next take cognisance, are considerably the oldest still extant Courtesy-Books (expressly to be so termed) of Christianized Europe; except one, partly coming under the same definition, which has been mentioned to me by a well-read friend, Dr Heimann (of University College), but of which I have no direct personal knowledge. This also, though written in the German language, is the production of an Italian. It is entitled Der Wälsche Gast (the Italian Guest), and dates about 1210. The author’s name is given as Tomasin von Zirclaria, born in Friuli. The book supplies various rules of etiquette, in a very serious and well-intentioned tone, as I am informed.—Fra Bonvicino would, on the ground of his antiquity alone, be well deserving of study. His precepts moreover (with comparatively few exceptions) cannot even yet be called obsolete, though some of them are unsophisticated to the extent of being superfluous. In order that the reader may see in one coup d’œil the whole of this curious old monument I subjoin a classified abridgment of the injunctions:—

1. Moral and Religious.

To think of the poor first of all.

To remember grace before meat.

To eat enough, and not too much.

Not to get drunk.

To pass over for the time any cause of quarrel.

To say grace after meat.

2. Practical Rules still fairly operative.

To offer water for washing the hands before dinner.

Not to plump into a seat at table at haphazard.

To sit at table decorously and in good humour.

Not to tilt oneself forward on the table.

Not to gorge or bolt one’s food.

To subordinate talking to eating.

Not to drink with one’s mouth full.

To remain seated at table, even though fresh guests should arrive.

Not to suck at solid food eaten with a spoon.

To use up one’s bread.

To abstain from raising objections to the dinner.

Not to scrutinize one’s neighbour’s plate.

To cut bread as it comes, not in all sorts of ways.