Hawkins vi. 40.  Speak not evill of one absent, for it is unjust to detract from the worth of any, or besmeare a good name by condemning, where the party is not present, to clear himselfe, or undergo a rationall conviction.

90th.  Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there’s a Necessity for it

Chapter viii. 2.  Estant assis a table, ne vous grattez point, & vous gardez tant que vous pourrez, de cracher, de tousser, de vous moucher:  que s’il y a necessite, faites-le adroitement, sans beaucoup de bruit, en tournant le visage de coste.

     Being seated at the table, do not scratch yourself, and if you can
     help it, do not spit, cough, or blow your nose; should either be
     necessary do it adroitly, with least noise, turning the face aside.

     (In the Washington MS. there is a notable omission of all that is
     said in the French and English books concerning grace before meat. 
     At Washington’s table grace was never said.)

91st.  Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.

     Chapter viii. 3.  Ne prenez pas vostre repas en gourmand.

     4.  Ne rompez point le pain auec les mains, mais auec le cousteau,
     si ce n’estoit vn pain fort petil & tout frais, & que tous les
     autres fissent de mesme, ou la pluspart.

     5.  Ne vous iettez pas sur table, a bras estendus iusques aux
     coudes, & ne vous accostez pas indecemment les epaules ou les bras
     sur vostre siege.

8.  Ne monstrez nullement d’avoir pris plaisir a la viande, ou au vin; mais si celuy que vous traittez, vous en demande vostre goust, vous pourrez luy respondre avec modestie & prudence:  beaucoup moins faut il blasmer les viandes, ou en demander d’autres, ny dauantage.

3.  Eat not like a glutton. (4.) Do not break the bread with your hands, but with a knife; unless, indeed, it is a small and quite fresh roll, and where the others present, or most of them, use their hands. (5.) Do not throw yourself on the table, as far as the elbows, nor unbecomingly rest shoulders or arms on your chair. (8.) Do not make a show of taking delight in your food, or in the wine; but if your host inquires your preference you should answer with modesty and tact:  whatever you do, do not complain of the dishes, ask for others, or anything of that sort.

     (At Washington’s table it was a custom to invite each guest to
     call for the wine he preferred.)

92d.  Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.