ERASMUS of Rotterdam, towards the end of his career, in 1530, wrote, for the use of the young prince, Henry of Burgundy, a little treatise in Latin, "De Civilitate Morum Puerilium," which was very soon afterwards translated into English by Robert Whyting-ton, and many times into French, under the title of "Traite" de Civilite Puerile et Hon-nete." This little treatise, which has remained until almost our own times a text-book in French schools, is the first special and complete book of etiquette composed in modern Europe, the first distinct study of good manners as a humble branch of philosophy. In this little book we shall find the elements of our modern table-manners formulated in a few brief axioms, such as the following:

"Do not pick your teeth with the point of your knife, nor with your finger-nail, as dogs and cats do, nor with your napkin ; make use of a splinter of lentiscus wood, or a quill, or of those small bones which are found in the legs of fowls.

"Gayety is becoming at table, but not effrontery. Do not sit down without having washed your hands and cleaned your nails. When you wipe your hands drive away all morose thoughts; at meals you ought not to seem sad yourself nor to sadden others. Nam in convivio nee tristem esse decet nee contris-tare quenquam"

Erasmus further recommends children not to put their elbows on the table; not to wriggle on their chairs, but to sit upright; and to lay their napkin on the left shoulder or the left arm. "The drinking-glass should be placed on the right, also the knife for cutting meat, nicely wiped (cultellus escarius rite pitrgatus); the bread on the left.

"To begin a meal by drinking is the act of drunkards, who drink from habit and not from thirst. It is not only bad manners, but bad for the health. Before drinking, finish what food you have in your mouth, and do not approach your lips to the glass until you have wiped them with your napkin or your handkerchief.

"To lick your greasy fingers, or to wipe them on your clothes, is equally bad manners ; it is better to make use of the table-cloth or of your napkin.

"Do not gnaw bones with your teeth, like a dog; pick them clean with the aid of a knife.

"Help yourself to salt with the aid of a knife.

"It is good that varied conversation should create some intervals in the continuity of a meal. Mulieres ornat silentium, sed magis pueritiam" (These Latin words may be translated by some bold man who will preface his remarks by declaring that he does not agree with Erasmus, so far at least as the ladies are concerned.)

"In placing a dish on the table, and in filling up a glass, never use your left hand.

"To speak with your mouth full is both impolite and dangerous."

Now, from the above maxims, and from the whole treatise, as well as from other writings of Erasmus, we may justly conclude that he was a refined and urbane gentleman ; and those who followed his precepts would certainly be charming hosts and agreeable guests, for in his remarks on table-manners he has touched upon all the points that are essential to decency, comfort, and good-feeling. These points concern three matters, namely, the laying of the table, the serving of the meats, and the behavior and frame of mind of the guests.

A veteran writer, Theophile Gautier, who uttered that famous axiom so saddening to journalists, "Daily newspapers are published every day," also fathered a paradox in contradiction to the lamentation of the Preacher: -"There is nothing new under the sun," said the pessimistic Hebrew. "Everything is new and hitherto unpublished," replied Gautier, "tout est inedit" For this reason I have quoted some observations of Erasmus of Rotterdam on table-manners, and now beg leave to gloss and comment upon them, beginning with the very important detail of toothpicks and picking teeth. The use of fine chicken-bones, which Erasmus recommended, we should now consider rustic. The only toothpicks that hygiene and convenience admit are wooden splinters or quills. Gold or silver toothpicks are dangerous, because the metal may scratch or chip the enamel of the teeth. The use of the precious metals for making such a mean instrument as a toothpick is an example of snobbishness. An ivory toothpick is also objectionable, because the ivory-is absorbent, and in the course of use becomes unclean.

Use a toothpick, and throw it away afterwards. You do not want to carry a toothpick in your pocket unless you are travelling in barbarous or over-squeamish countries.

Here the question arises: "How is the toothpick to be used ?" The reply is: "Sim-ply, without affectation, and without obstinacy." At some of the best tables at which I have had the honor of sitting in Europe I found a quill toothpick laid at the foot of the wine-glasses, as being as indispensable a part of the couvert, or service, as a knife and fork. But, unless I deliberately watched for a certain length of time, thereby losing the enjoyment of a part of the dinner -which, you may be sure, was not often the case - I never noticed guests using these toothpicks. And yet they certainly did use them, but, when doing so, they did not hoist the white flag to call the attention of the whole table to the operation, as those persons do who try to hide their faces behind their napkin. This manoeuvre, so common among the Americans, is at best a false prudery, worthy only of the intelligence of an ostrich. To hold up your napkin so is simply to make a signal, as who should say: "Now, look out. I'm going to pick my teeth. See how ashamed I am of the clumsy way in which I do the said picking."

Such picking of teeth as is necessary for comfort may be done at table without any holding up of napkins, without any clumsy holding of the hand before the mouth, which is almost as ostentatious as the white-flag signal, and, above all, without any scraping, smacking, or sucking noises. The essence of good table-manners lies in not making yourself remarked, and in not making yourself in any way disagreeable to your neighbors.