Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/50

 proved to be the top of a sort of dumb-waiter. I imitated the rest by taking from the compartment before me. a snowy napkin, a roll, and also several forks and spoons. These were not of silver, but—imagine my surprise— of solid gold. Ulmene produced, besides, from her compartment, a tureen and set of plates. When she had placed these things before her, the cebin, as the dumbwaiter was called, immediately descended to its former position; and the lady helped us to some excellent potage. That disposed of, the cebin again rose, tureen and plates were replaced in their receptacle, and Utis produced from his compartment a covered dish and plates. This proved to be fish. A third rise of the cebin, to a greater height than before, yielded another course, consisting of exquisitely cooked vegetables, compotes, and a roast, but from what animal I was not able to decide. In color, flavor, and tenderness, it was not unlike venison at its best. What puzzled me was the peculiar shape in which it came to table, and the fact that it was not carved, but helped with an instrument somewhat resembling a fishslice.

I may here mention, in passing, that knives were never used at table, all viands being so well cooked as to require no such aid for their division. The sight of a steel blade at table would have there produced as great a sensation as would, among us, the spectacle of a gallant knight drawing his trusty dagger to carve for self and lady. I remarked also the comparatively small amount of each dish that appeared at table. There was enough, and no more. Each convive, too,—and I was careful to imitate them,—made a point not to leave any thing on