In England Dinner-giving Snobs occupy a very important place in society, and the task of describing them is tremendous.

There was a time in my life when the consciousness of having eaten a man's salt rendered me dumb regarding his demerits, and I thought it a wicked act and a breach of hospitality to speak ill of him.
But why should a saddle-of-mutton blind you, or a turbot and lobster-sauce shut your mouth for ever?
With advancing age, men see their duties more clearly.

I am not to be hoodwinked any longer by a slice of venison, be it ever so fat; and as for being dumb on account of turbot and lobster-sauce----of course I am; good manners ordain that I should be so, until I have swallowed the compound--but not afterwards; directly the victuals are discussed, and John takes away the plate, my tongue begins to wag.

Does not yours, if you have a pleasant neighbour ?--a lovely creature, say, of some five-and-thirty, whose daughters have not yet quite come out--they are the best talkers.

As for your young misses, they are only put about the table to look at--like the flowers in the centre-piece.