3. It is proper to begin eating as soon as served, although there should be no indecorous haste. An exception to this rule is that no one should begin to eat the dessert until all are served.
4. Do not help yourself first to anything on the table. Never put your own knife, fork, or spoon into the food except as it has been served to you. It is rude to reach across the table or to rise and reach in order to help yourself. If servants are not near, ask politely of some one at the table that the dish be passed.
5. Rapid eating is impolite and unhealthy. The mouth should not be filled too full, and the food should be thoroughly chewed. Do not chew the food so as to be heard. Do not smack the lips in eating. Do not draw in the breath when eating soup, drinking milk, tea, etc. Be careful not to show the food in your mouth. Do not attempt to eat the last drop of soup nor the last morsel of food on the plate.
6. The knife is used in cutting up the food, but it should not convey the food to the mouth. The fork should be used for this purpose. There is a proper way of holding knife and fork which can best be learned by observing some one who does it properly. Soup should be eaten from the side of the spoon.
7. When drinking tea or coffee, drink from the cup and not from the saucer. When drinking from a goblet or tumbler, be careful not to tip them too much. It is not in good form to throw the head back and invert the tumbler. It is not well to drink much water while eating.
8. If necessary to eject anything from the mouth while eating, use the fork in conveying it from the mouth to the plate. Fruit stones may be removed with the fingers and placed upon the plate.
9. When salt is taken from the salt-cellar, it should be put on the plate and not on the table-cloth. Vegetables should be eaten with a fork, if possible, rather than with a spoon. When small dishes are used in serving vegetables, fruit, etc., they should not be taken in the hand, but left on the table.
10. It is a disputed question what to do with the knife and fork when the plate is passed for a second supply. It seems the better plan not to leave them on the plate, as they are liable to fall off or to be in the way, but to hold them in the right hand, or to place them on the table in such a manner as not to soil the cloth.
11. Do not use a tooth-pick in public. It is a common practice, but not with the best-bred people. Never indulge in the disgusting practice of removing bits of food from the teeth with the tongue or fingers. The teeth should receive attention in private.