Produced by Turgut Dincer, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. THE BABEES’ BOOK [Illustration: ELIZABETH TINGLE FAIRBANKS] THE BABEES’ BOOK MEDIEVAL MANNERS FOR THE YOUNG DONE INTO MODERN ENGLISH FROM DR. FURNIVALL’S TEXTS BY EDITH RICKERT [Illustration] NEW YORK PRIVATELY PRINTED CHRISTMAS 1913 DEDICATED TO E. T. F. AND E. T. F. _A Matter of Manners_ _In this present day, when chivalry has achieved at last its perfect bloom, it is hard to realize that but a scant four centuries ago the children of even the very best families in England had to be taught their table manners._ _Today the graces of deportment come by nature to our youth; and the generation that has produced the immortal Rollo can not comprehend the rude manners of the “bela babee,” or beautiful well-born boy of Queen Elizabeth’s time._ _O, tempora! O, mores! How the times change and manners multiply! But throughout the centuries--on the lengthening road of which we shall plant another milestone presently with feasting and merry-making--good manners and bad have ever gone hand in hand. And ever has he of the mind conscious of virtue looked smugly down on the artless and indifferent vulgarian._ _“The Babees’ Book,” from which some quaint extracts are here reprinted, is from old Dr. Furnivall’s collection of “Divers treaties touching the Manners and Meals of Englishmen in former days.” It gives a moving picture of the domestic life of the Middle Ages. The present translation out of the archaic language of the Fifteenth Century into intelligible English has been made by Edith Rickert, who seems to have preserved with skill and fidelity the spirit and form of the antiquated original._ _It will perhaps amuse the good little Rollo of today to know just how his ancient cousin was taught to behave at table; and it will interest his elders to observe that the fundamental basis of good manners lay then as now in cleanliness, self respect, reverence and consideration for the feelings of others._ _C. M. F._ _Christmas 1913._ THE BABEES’ BOOK OR A LITTLE REPORT OF HOW YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BEHAVE May He who formed mankind in His image, support me while I turn this treatise out of Latin into my common language, that through this little comment all of tender years may receive instruction in courtesy and virtue. Facet saith that the Book of Courtesy to teach the practice of virtue is the most helpful thing in the world, so I will not shrink from this labour or refuse it; but for mine own learning will say something that touches upon the matter.