le bout.

When the rest have finished eating, you should do the same quickly;
do not hold your arms on the table, but only place your hands on
the edge of it.

104th. It belongs to y'e Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin and
fall to Meat first, But he ought to begin in time & to Dispatch with
Dexterity that y'e Slowest may have time allowed him

Chapter viii. 45. C'est a faire au plus honnorable de la compagnie
de deplier le premier sa seruiette, & toucher aux viandes: &
partant les autres doiuent attendre paisiblement sans mettre la
main a chose aucune deuant lui.

46. Et au contraire il doit estre soigneux de commencer en son
temps, de pouruoir a tout, d'entretenir les conuiez, & finir le
tout auec telle addresse; qu'il donne temps aux plus tardifs de
manger a leur aise, s'entretenant, s'il est de besoin, a gouster
legerement des viandes, ou quand il est loisible de discourir a
table; entremesler auec le manger quelque petit discours, afin que
les autres puissent auec loisir d'acheuer.

It is for the most distinguished member of the company to unfold
first his napkin and touch the food, and the rest should wait
quietly, without laying hand on anything before he does. (46.) On
the other hand, he ought in due time to commence, to consider
everything, entertaining the guests, and managing all so adroitly
as to give time to the more dilatory to eat at their leisure; if
necessary for this, slowly tasting the viands, or, when table-talk
is permissible, introducing a little chat during the meal, so that
the others can finish at their ease.

[Sidenote: Toner has 'but' instead of 'put' in this Rule.]

105th. Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you have reason to be
so, Shew it not put on a Chearfull Countenance especially if there be
Strangers for good Humour makes one Dish of Meat a Feast

Chapter viii. 47. Ne vous fachez iamais en table, quoy qu'il
aduienne, ou bien si vous vous fachez, n'ent faites point de
semblant, principalement y ayant des estrangers a table.

[Sidenote: Hawkins vii. 40. 'A cheerefull countenance makes one dish a
Feast.']

Never be angry at table, no matter what may happen, or even if you
have cause for anger, do not show it, especially if strangers are
present.

[Sidenote: There is a blank in the MS. after upper.]

106th. Set