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 not yourself at y’e upper [end] of y’e Table but if it be your Due or that y’e Master of y’e house will have it so, Contend not least you Should Trouble y’e company.

Chapter viii. 48.  Ne vous asseez point de vous mesme au haut-bout; miais s’il vous appartient, ou si le maistre du logis le veut ainsi, ne faites pas tant de resistance pour n’y point aller, que vous fachiez toute la compagnie.

[Sidenote:  Walker:  ’Desire not the highest place, nor be troublesome with impertinent debasing yourself by refusing,’ etc.]

     Seat not yourself voluntarily at the top; but if the place properly
     belongs to you, or the master of the house so wills, do not offer
     so much resistance to its acceptance as to annoy the company.

107th.  If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth

     Chapter viii. 49.  Si on lit ou deuise en table, soyez attentif, &
     s’il faut parler, ne parlez point auec le morceau en la bouche.

     If there be reading or chat at table, be attentive, and if you have
     to speak, do not speak with your mouth full.

108th.  When you Speak of God or his Attributes, let it be Seriously & [with words of] Reverence.  Honour & obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor