It is ill-bred to stoop too close to one's porringer or the meat. It suffices to bend a little when conveying a soaked morsel to one's mouth, in order to avoid soiling oneself, then straighten up again. (25.) Do not clean your hands on a loaf; if very greasy you might, it would seem, partly clean them on a bit of bread you are about to eat, then on your napkin, so as not to soil the latter too much: this will rarely happen if you know how to use spoon and fork in the most approved manner. Much less should you lick your fingers, especially not suck them noisily.
[9]7th. Put not another bit into your Mouth till the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the jowls
Chapter viii. 30. Ne portez pas le morceau à la bouche que l'autre ne soil auallé, & que tous soient tels qu'ils ne fassent pas enfler les jouës hors de mesure; ne vous seruez pas des deux mains pour vous mettre le morceau à la bouche, mais seruez vous d'ordinaire de la droite.
Carry not another morsel to the mouth till the other be swallowed, and let each be such as will not stretch the jaws beyond measure; do not take both hands to raise a morsel to the mouth, but, usually, serve yourself with the right hand.
98th. Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking
Chapter viii. 32. Ne boiuez ayant le morceau en la bouche, ne demandez point à boire, ne parlez, ne vous versez point à boire, & ne boiuez cependant que vostre voisin boit, ou celuy qui est au haut bout.
33. En boiuant, ne regardez point çà & là.
[Sidenote: The later French book recommends keeping the eyes 'fixed at the bottom of the glass' while drinking.]
Do not drink with your mouth full of food; do not ask anything while drinking, nor talk, nor turn round; and do not drink because your neighbour does, or the head of the table. (33.) While drinking, gaze not here and there.
99th. Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking wipe your Lips breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise, for its uncivil
Chapter viii. 34. Ne boiuez point trop lentement ny trop à la haste, ny comme en maschant le vin, ny trop souuent ny sans eau, car c'est à faire aux yvrognes. Deuant & apres que vous aurez beu, effuyez-vous les lévres, & ne respirez pas auec trop grand bruit, ny alors, ny iamais, car c'est vne chose bien inciuile.