Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1893 — Children at Table. [ARTICLE]

Children at Table.

In good society very young children are not permitted to come to table unless the family are alone. But in the latter case, we think the earlier children are taught to sit at the table with parents, brothers and sisters, ana behave properly, the more surely will they secure good, refined table manners. It is not difficult to teach a young child to make its wants quietly known to the proper person and mt the proper time. But what can be more uncomfortable and annoying than to sit at table where the, children, from the obtest, to the youngest, are the dominant power, never waiting patiently for their turn to bo helped, but calling loudly for whatever they desire; Impatient if it is not brought to them on the instant? If attention is not given as soon as the words are out of his mouth, how unpleasant o see a child standing on the rounds of the chair, or reaching over other plates to help himself to whatever he desires! Parents oan, with very little trouble to themselves, save their guests from witnessing such rudeness if they begin ’•’ hen every habit is uniform. Children should be taught to be gentle and ret pectful In manner when requiring service from the servant or waiter. And yet how many give no hce : to th s duty. How manj hear their young charges calling impatiently or arrogantly, “Give me the butter, • ane,”"!a-s the bread this way, ’’ “Can’t you he a , Jane? I’ve told you two or three t m s to give me some water.” Or some mat soften their imperious and h irsh demands just a little by saying, “I’ll ink ■ the bread, please;” but the “p!ea*e ” - too far off to be very pleasan . It see a an afterthought. Whispering, ion S talking, abrupt calls for any nr ieie o.i the table, beginning to ea 1 or cal.in t. be helped the moment seated be ore 110 o dost are served, is in tho highest, bgree rude and vulgar, yet y far to*» > omreon. Some natural fi eling of restrain’ or diffidence may keep he vi un ; n ore q i.et when at a f iend's table, for pin tof the meal at least; but th y tan lay no claim to refinement or good manners if they use poiiienees only wb n aD ong strangers—keep it laid away like a new garment, to bo put on oc asisnally, and to be thrown off as speed! iv as possible because not 1 eing in h„b: - uai use it becomes irksome.