"It is a rude fashion for a man to clawe or scratche him selfe, when he sitteth at the table. And a man should at such time have a very greate care y^t he spit not at all. But, if neede inforce him, then let him doe it, after an honest sorte." I have heard tell, many times, of suche countries that be so sober: that they doe never spitt. And what should then let us, but we may well forbeare it for suche a little while. We must also beware we doe not eate so greedily, that wee get the hicket, or belche withall: as some that feede so fast, that they noy the company with it: they blowe and puffe so loud. Likewise, you must not rubbe your teeth with your napkin, & much lesse with your fingers. For these be trickes for a sloven. Neither must you openly rince your mouth w^t the wine, and then spit it fourthe. Neither is it gentleman like, to carry a sticke in your mouth from the table when you rise, like y^e birde that builds her a nest: or put it in your eare, for that is a Barbars tricke. And to weare a toothpicke, about your necke: of all fashions that is y^e worst. For, besides that it is a bauld Jewell for a gentleman to pull forth of his bosome, and putteth men in mind of those Tooth-drawers, that sit one their benche in the stretes: it makes "men also to thinke, that the man loves his belly full well, and is provided for it. And I see no reason, why they should not aswell carry a spoone, about their neckes, as a toothepicke." It is a rude fashion besides, to leane over the table, or to fill your mouth so ful of meate, that your cheekes be blowne up w^tall: neither must you by any maner of meanes, give another man to know what pleasure you take, in the meate or the wine. For y^t it is for Taverners and Bousers, to use suche fashions. And to entertaine men y^t sit at your table, with these words: "You eate nothing this morning. There is nothing that likes you." Or, "tast you of this or of that:" I doe not allowe of these fashions, although they be commonly received and used of all men. For, albeit by these meanes, they shewe they make much of those they have invited unto them: yet, many times, they make men to leave to eate wher they would. "For, it geves them to thinke, they have their eyes, allwayes uppon them, and that makes them ashamed to feede."