A Most Unusual Colonial Dinner

A reproduction, Williamsburg sterling Sucket fork and spoon, needed for eating a British Tudor Era and American Colonial treat known as “wet suckets” or just “Sucket.” Wet suckets were candied or gingered fruits and fruit peel – usually prepared with oranges or other citrus or seasonal fruits. These were served in a delightful sugary liquid syrup, made of honey and water. By the early 17th century, sugar and rosewater were used to make the syrup. It was proper to eat with the forked-end first, then switch to using the spoon-end to enjoy the syrup remaining in the dish.

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Host Continues a Dinner Party While His House Burns

There is a familiar saying that a lady should be mistress of herself, although china fall, but to be master of himself and his dinner-table while his house is in flames is a degree of self-control granted to few. Grace Ellery Channing, in her book, “The Sisters of a Saint,” tells of a certain gentleman of Colonial times who appears to have been endowed with even that measure of Puritan self-repression.

The Royal Commissioners, then In Boston, were bidden to a dinner on Christmas eve at the stately Bristol residence of John Wentworth, a man of great natural parts and of a noble. and lofty bearing. The table, set forth with old plate and damask, was loaded with good cheer of all kinds. The host gave the customary signal for the dinner to be served in the words:

“Friends, you see your dinner!” As the visitors’ lips opened to make the response demanded by etiquette, a servant rushed in with the announcement that the house was on fire. Sternly bidding the startled guests to sit down, John Wentworth commanded the servants to take out the tables and set them upon the lawn; then the chairs were also removed.

“The air will be keen outside. Bring hither the wraps,” said John Wentworth. But the flames had already consumed them. “Bring whatever you can find, then!” and the servants returned with their arms heaped with curtains and table-cloths, and these strange wraps were hastily donned by the company.

“To the tables,” commanded Wentworth, and at the word the panic-stricken guests trooped forth from the now blazing house and seated themselves about the table upon the wintry lawn. The host repeated the greeting. “And a very good dinner we see!” was the tremulous response. 

In vain the guests essayed nervously to eat and drink; fitful attempts at gayety died away in the ever-increasing roar of flames; but Wentworth kept up an easy flow of conversation, pressing upon his guests the various dainties with all the concern of a man who had naught weightier upon his mind.

Now and again the sound of a falling beam would be echoed by a falling glass from some shaking hand. As the last glass shivered to the ground it was answered by a dull crash; the last wall of the house sank and fell. Wentworth did not turn his head.– Sausalito News, 1899

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Grace Under Pressure

Georgian Era shaving —"John, why do you not fetch a strop and razor, you see your master is going to shave himself?" Philip's greediness was checked for that meal!

Chesterfield's Coolness

The Earl of Chesterfield was called the first gentleman of his age. It. was a cardinal point of etiquette with him never to exhibit ill temper in company, or be remiss in courtesy to any guest. But he was sometimes sorely tried hy the rude and awkward manners of his son, Philip Stanhope, whom he tried in vain to educate to gentlemanly habits. 

Philip was a great glutton, and could not restrain his appetite even in company. On one occasion, when his father had invited a large number of titled guests, an elegant entertainment was provided. One of the rare dishes was a platter of baked gooseberries, snowed over with rich cream. Philip had been helped bountifully by Lady Chesterfield, who knew his weakness. 

But when the servant was taking out the dish in clearing the table, Philip beckoned to him, and taking it in his hand began to lap up greedily the rich cream. Lord Chesterfield was disgusted, but without a change of face or voice to indicate the tempest within, said in a calm tone to the servant: "John, why do you not fetch a strop and razor, you see your master is going to shave himself?" Philip's greediness was checked for that meal.—New York Press, 1891

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia