[Illustration: THE SCHOOL OF MANNERS. OR RULES for Childrens Behaviour: At Church, at Home, at Table, in Company, in Di[f.]cour[f.]e, at School, abroad, and among Boys. With [f.]ome other [f.]hort and mixt Precepts. By the Author of the _Engli[f.]h Exerci[f.]es_. The Fourth Edition. _LONDON._ Printed for _Tho. Cockerill_, at the Three Legs and Bible again[f.]t Grocers-Hall in the _Poultrey_, 1701. Title-page of _The School of Manners_] In many households in the new world children could not be seated at the table, even after the blessing had been asked. They stood through the entire meal. Sometimes they had a standing place and plate or trencher; at other boards they stood behind the grown folk and took whatever food was handed to them. This must have been in families of low social station and meagre house furnishings. In many homes they sat or stood at a side-table, and trencher in hand, ran over to the great table for their supplies. A certain formality existed at the table of more fashionable folk. Children were given a few drops of wine in which to drink the health of their elders. In one family the formula was, "Health to papa and mamma, health to brothers and sisters, health to all my friends." In another, the father's health only was named. Sometimes the presence of grandparents at the table was the only occasion when children joined in health-drinking. The little book teaches good listening:-- "When any speak to thee, stand up. Say not I have heard it before. Never endeavour to help him out if he tell it not right. Snigger not; never question the Truth of it." The child is enjoined minutely as to his behavior at school: to take off his hat at entering, and bow to the teacher; to rise up and bow at the entrance of any stranger; to "bawl not in speaking"; to "walk not cheek by jole," but fall respectfully behind and always "give the Wall to Superiors." [Illustration: (9) 17. Bite not thy bread, but break it, but not with [f.]lovenly Fingers, nor with the [f.]ame wherewith thou take[f.]t up thy meat. 18. Dip not thy Meat in the Sawce. 19. Take not [f.]alt with a greazy Knife. 20. Spit not, cough not, nor blow thy No[f.]e at Table if it may be avoided; but if there be nece[f.][f]ity, do it a[f.]ide, and without much noi[f.]e. 21. Lean not thy Elbow on the Table, or on the back of thy Chair. 22. Stuff not thy mouth [f.]o as to fill thy Cheeks; be content with [f.]maller Mouthfuls. 23. Blow not thy Meat, but with Patience wait till it be cool. 24. Sup not Broth at the Table, but eat it with a Spoon. Page of _The School of Manners_] The young student's passage from his home to his school should be as decorous as his demeanor at either terminus:--