Hints for the table: or, the economy of good living / [Anon].

  • John Timbs
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints for the table: or, the economy of good living / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    160/188 page 144
    Carlton-house, in the year 1811, was the only experi- ment ever made at any court of Europe to give a sup- per to 2000 of the nobility and gentry. The largest entertainment at the most brilliant period of the French monarchy, was that given by the Prince of Conde to the King of Sweden, at Chantilly, when the covers only amounted to 400; while, at the fete given by the Prince Regent, covers were laid for 400 in the palace, and for 1600 more in pavilions, in the gardens. Many readers must recollect the lavish expenditure on this occasion; and the puerile taste of a stream with gold and silver fish flow- ing down the centre of the table. Plainness of taste has distinguished the sovereigns of our times in their retirement. George IV generally dined in his private salle-h-manger, in Windsor-castle,* at nine o'clock, and not unfrequently alone. The table-service, on such occasions, was mostly of white and brown chiua, and not of silver, as has been stated. A roast fowl was the fa- vourite dish with William IV ; and a black bottle of sherry was uniformly placed on the table near his majesty. At the grand civic banquet to our gracious queen, in 1837, her majesty partook only of turtle and roast mutton; wines, sherry and claret. Napoleon was a very fast eater. At a grand corner t at the Tuileries, from the moment he and his guests sat down, till the coffee was served, not more than forty-three or four minutes elapsed. They were then bowed out. With Napoleon, the moment appetite was felt, it was necessary that it should be satisfied; and his establishment was so * The royal plate at Windsor is kept in one tolerably sized room mid an adjoining closet, and valued at 1,750,000/. sterling! There is one gold ser- vice, formed by George IV, to dine 130 guests; some pieces were taken from the Spanish Armada, some brought from India, Burmnh, China, &c. One vessel belonged to Charles XII of Sweden, and another to the King of Ava; a peacock of precious stones, valued at 30,000/.; and a tiger’s head. (Tip- poo's footstool,) with a solid ingot of gold for his toi:gue, and crystal teeth; numerous and splendidly ornamented gold shields, one made from snuff- boxes, value 8000 guineas; and thirty dozen of plates, which cost 20 guineas each plate. The magnificent silver wine-cooler made by Kundell and Bridge, for George IV, is enclosed with plate-glass: its superb chasing and other ornamental work occupied two years, and two lull-grown persons may sit in it without inconvenience.
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