The court of curiosities, and The cabinet of rarities with the new way of wooing.

THE Court of CURIOSITIES, OR, The Cabinet of Rarities. With the New Way of Wooing, &c.

The Introduction.

AS Knowledge and Ʋnderſtanding are the greateſt Ornaments: In like manner ought they to be prized and improved to advantage, nor can they be attained to, without care and diligence; and in this Caſe, divers things are to be conſidered: but not to go from the intended Subject. I ſhall proceed to lay down ſuch choice Rules and Inſtructions, as will be wonderful uſeful and profitable to Men or Women; but eſpecially to the youngeſt ſort, and firſt as to Carriage and decent Behaviour with Expreſſions ſuitable on ſundry Occaſions.

CHAP. I. How a Youngman or a Maid ought to behave themſelves in entring a Room or others Place to pay reſpects to their Superiours, &c.

AS good Breeding greatly ſets of the Perſon of a Youngman or a Maid; ſo it ought to be obſerved by them on all occaſions; and for thoſe that do not underſtand the true Grounds of Dancing, to enable them herein, let them obſerve theſe following RULES.

A Youngman, upon ent'ring the Room where his Superiours are, ought with his Hat in his hand or under his arm to make his approach, and at ſome diſtance, ſetting one leg a little before the other, bend his Body without moving his Feet, then advancing three ſteps do the like, waving or turning his head in bending that he may ſeem to pa his Reſpects to more then one that's in the place then advancing to the Party to whom he intends to ſpeak, upon a third Congie, looking ſteadfaſtly, he may expreſs himſelf as the occaſion requires: If only in a Complement to a Man thus, Viz. Honoured Sir, thus low I bend to kiſs your hand, and return you many thanks for permitting ſo great a Favour to him who is yours to ſerve you in what he may; (or thus,) Sir I am extreamly happy in having this opportunity to pay my Reſpects to a Perſon of your Worth: and return you thanks for the many Obligations you have laid upon me. Or the like, as the Quality, Place and Occaſion does require; and ſo to proceed to other diſcourſe. Stand ſtill with your Hat under your arm, or retire in the manner you advance. If it be to a Gentlewoman obſerve the ſame Rule diffeing only in your Expreſſion and offer a modeſt Salute, if you may do it without offending, and that muſt be on the right Cheek for in ſuch Caſes to kiſs the mouth that's too vulgar, your Expreſſions may be theſe or ſuch like:

Madam, I am the admirer of your Vertues, and therefore thus humbly intrude to tender you my Service; Fair Miſtreſs, pardon my boldneſs that I thus approach, your Vertues and Beauty attracted me to beg the favour of being numbred amongst your admirers; or ſo forth: for in this Caſe there can be no certain Expreſſions ſet down, the Cauſes of the Addreſſes being ſo various.

If a young Gentlewoman approach her Superiours, ſhe muſt approach by Curtzying, bending her Body a little forward and then drawing it backward her Head being kept upright and her hands placed decently before her and by three Curtzies make her approach ſtooping a ſmall time at each, caſting her Eyes ſomewhat downward, which will ſet her off with a modeſt Grace, and if it be to Men ſhe approach; let her not ſpeak firſt, unleſs ſhe have ſome Meſſage to deliver or ſome Requeſt to ask; which when ſhe has done, let her ſtand or retire in the ſame manner, unleſs ſhe be deſired to ſit, but if to Women ſhe may paſs a Compleinent as the occaſions requires.

As for our Equals we muſt uſe them with all the obliging Terms of modeſty and Civility as not to put our ſelves before, nor do any thing, whereby they may ſuppoſe themſelves wronged or affronted: and uſe towards them ſuch obliging Offices of Kindneſs that by your Humility, you may gain a good Eſteem: be not in this Caſe too Familiar nor too reſerved, but in all Caſes hold a medium or middle.

To Inferiours by Charitable and Reſpectful, flying Pride or Contempt by all means doing them all the good Offices you can; both upon your own account and by interceeding on their behalf with others, in whoſe power it lies, and in ſo doing you will gain a good repute.

CHAP. II. Directions for Behaviour, and the management of Diſcourſe, and at the Table before their Parents or Strangers, &c.

LET a Youngman or Maid, in his or her Diſcourſe, be ſparing; eſpecially the latter, leaſt by over-laviſhneſs or ſpeaking unſeaſonably, they be counted impertinent and troubleſome to thoſe to whom they direct it, and in any wiſe be cautious how they extol themſelves and their Abilities, but ever leave that to ſome other: Let them not be effected with their own diſcourſe or laugh at a Story they tell themſelves if they can avoid it, nor be ſeen upon any occaſion to be given to unſeemly or overmuch laughter.

Above all, let them be reſpectful to their Parents, and when they come to the Table ſeat themſelves laſt in a place ſutable to their degree, not contending therein, nor ſeeming diſſatisfied, though they ſit below their inferiours. And if they Carve, ſerve themſelves laſt; but if Carved to by others, reſt ſatisfied with what is dealt 'em; and if at any time they find a convenient Opportunity to begin a Diſcourſe, let it be about innocent matters and ſuch as by Reflection or otherwiſe, will give no offence to the Company.

CHAP. III. Directions for making Love, and how to know whether one is beloved, and to obtain the Party deſired, &c.

IN Caſe of Love, our Youth after he has fixed his mind upon the Virgin he can fancy, muſt, e're he lets her know his Paſſion or that lets it take too deep Root, find by obſerving or diſcourſing her, whether her Heart be not inclined another, way too much to be recalled, leaſt in ſuch a Caſe he deſtroy his own Quiet, and this may be done by obſerving the motion of her Eyes, for if your Miſtriſs when you diſcourſe with her, look downward or careleſly caſt her eyes another way, ſeeming reſtleſs and uneaſie, yet now and than caſt forth a ſigh unwittingly, her heart and mind is at that time ſomewhere elſe, and ſhe is as deep in Love with ſome other, as your ſelf is or may be with her: or if ſhe ſeem careleſs and reſerved, putting of your paſſion Story with ſome other Diſcourſe of a Contrary Nature: then is ſhe cold I deſire, and will not ſoon take Cupids fire, yet by ſeaſonable addreſſing and obliging Courtſhip, may be ſoftned and brought to a Complyance.

Again, if you would know when your Miſtriſs oves you, though ſhe will diſſemble her paſſion by her Carriage and proteſt the contrary with her Tongue: look ſteadfaſt on her and take notice of her Eyes for they ſilently ſpeak the language of the Soul and cannot eaſily diſſemble, if with them ſhe ſteadfaſtly gazes on you; inſomuch that they ſparkle on you by turns and at other times ſeem cloudy, as alſo to ſhut as though dazled or weakned with too much ſteadfaſtneſs or that ſpeaking ſuddenly ſhe ſtammers or miſſes of a ready deliverance of Words, and that her bluſhes come and go, then is ſhe in Love, If upon a parting Salute ſhe meets you with earneſtneſs or ſqueezing your fingers hard, preſently ſnatches off or unlooſes her hand, as if ſhe had injur'd her modeſty, then ſhe is in love with you, and wants but an opportunity to let you know what Intreſts you have in her Affections which if you be any thing of a Courtier, you ought to ſtudy, in order to bring it to paſs.

Theſe and many other Symptoms there are in Virgin-Love, yet oberves theſe Rules, never trouble your Miſtreſs with too early or too late Viſits, nor Attempt to ſurprize her undreſſed or in an unſeemly manner, leaſt you undo all you have done but at a ſeaſonable time: To delight her you may tune your Voice; good Singing, being very acceptable in ſuch Caſes, and for want of a Song, this may well ſerve.

A SONG. To the Tune of, Joy to the Bridegroom. MY lovely Caelia whoſe bright eyes All hearts at diſtance do ſurprize O ſmile and ſave your Strephon then, Who without you muſt be undone O ſmile, &c. O Cure your wounded Shepherds Grief By ſmiling him a quick relief Be kind as you are fair, and he Will never doubt's Felicity. Be kind, &c.

As for the Courtſhips of a Widow young or old, briskneſs, a prompt ingenuity, a Face not eaſily to be daſhed out of Countenance, are the beſt proof, nor muſt you be tedious in your Courtſhip; for Widows being ſeaſoned for Love entertain it with leſs fear than Virgins, nor ſtand upon ſuch nice punctilio's; therefore as this firſtmuſt be won by obliging Complements and ſometimes tedious Service, the latter muſt be gained by good humour and ſeaſonable Careſs, without omitting any opportunity to clap up the Match, and for her diverſion this Song may be apt enough.

To the Tune of, the well approved Doctor. IN faith my dear Silvia, I tell you I love Believe me, you'l find That I conſtant will prove O doubt not my deareſt to give me thy hand Since all that's about me is at your command.

As for quaint Complemental Expreſſions, theſe on fit occaſions may ſerve.

Madam, your Eyes enthrall my Heart, and make me your ſlave.

Fair Lady, what ſhall I ſay to gain belief that I love you? be witneſs your ſelf and all that is good in you.

Madam, I am your Creature and live but by your ſmiles.

Beauteous Miſtreſs, pitty a Languiſhing Lover who ſcarcely dares tell his pain leaſt you ſhould frown him death.

As for a Letter you may frame it thus.

To his admired Miſtreſs,

FAireſt of Creatures, being made a Priſoner to your beauties and many ſingular vertues, and not having the opportunity, or to ſay rather the boldneſs to tell you it in perſon, I have preſumed to addreſs your fair hands with this Paper, as the Interpreter of the mind; intreating you out of that tender Compaſſion you have ever expreſſed for afflicted Mortals, to ſend him a Cordial, though it be but Hope to give ſome eaſe to a feavouriſh Soul, that meditates on you next Heaven, and the Obligation will revive him who is your languiſhing ſlave to wear the ſoft Chains of your Love.

P B.

To which an Anſwer may be thus framed.

SIR,

I Received your Letter, the Contents of which, are as ſtrange to me as your ſelf and therefore know not how to return an anſwer to your ſatisfaction, but that I am compaſſionate to thoſe that are in affliction aſſure your ſelf, and ſhould be loath to be the occaſion of your ſuffering, yet till I know further muſt remain a friend to my ſelf, and no enemy to you.

A. G. THus Love and Courtſhip brought is to an end, And now to other things my Pen I bend, Which may as uſeful prove, if not exceed Then to be ſatisfied, good Reader Read.

CHAP. IV. Rules and Directions for Carving Fiſh or Fleſh, after the Courtly manner: as alſo what relates to Fiſh, and the choiceſt part of either, &c.

SInce the managing of a Feaſt, is in many caſes, as difficult as Marſhalling of Armies; I have thought fit to give a brief Account of it: as alſo of carving, and of the beſt pieces, in caſe of difference of Perſons in Reſpect and Quality: which, take as followeth.

As for the Fleſh, Fiſh, Fowl, &c. They are to be obſerved, as they are in ſeaſon, in the firſt and ſecond Courſe, each month amongſt the Curious, differing in that particular; wherefore ſuppoſing all things plentiful o • the Board, and in good order ſerved with their particular Sawces, a thing too long to be inſerted; I proceed to give directions ſo Carving, a thing wonderfull neceſſary and commendable, and though in Butchers Mea • there is no Maſter-piece required in Carving yet obſerve to cut a Loin of Veal in the middle and give the Nut-piece to thoſe you moſ • eſteem.

In boiled or roaſted Beef, the part interlined or interlarded with Fat, is moſt acceptable.

In a Leg of Mutton, thruſt your Knife a conſiderable depth, and begin to cut it from the handle on the inſide as if you were about to ſplit it in the Joynt, and on the other ſide there is a little bone, which, preſent as the choiceſt piece.

A Leg of Pork ought to be cut Round, on the top: and in like manner, a Haunch of Veniſon.

A Sholder of Mutton, muſt be cut Semicircle, between the Handle and the Flap, or on the inſide; as for a Rabbit or Hare: the legs and Wings muſt be firſt taken off, and then cut in two, the back-piece preſented as the beſt: A Pig muſt be chin'd and plac'd upon the Sawce, the beſt part of which is reckoned the Ear or under Jaw.

As for Fiſh, there is no certain directions becauſe they need little Carving; only in Salmon, Sturgeon, Pike, Carp and Codfiſh, the head and that part next it, is moſt approved: wherefore paſſing them over, I ſhall come to Fowl, the moſt curious part of Carving.

The Carving Term of a Swan is Lifting; wherefore if you lift a Swan, ſlit her right down the middle of the breaſt, and ſo through the back from the Neck to the Rump lay the ſlit ſide downwards, and ſet forth your Sawce in Sawcers apart.

To cut up a roaſted Gooſe; rear her and cut fair the Legs, then Belly-piece round, and lace the Breaſt with your knife, a thumbs breadth from the Breaſt-bone; and in that manner take off the Wings, raiſing them cleverly from the Bone, and then proceed to take off the Merry thought; when having cut off the Breaſt-bone, turn the Carkaſs up and ſplit it on the Back-bone, take off the Rump and lay them in order.

To cut up a Turky or Buſtard, raiſe the Legs very fair, opening the Joynt with the point of your Knife, yet take not off the Leg, but lace down the Breaſt on both ſides and open the Wings or Pinions, but take them not off; then raiſe up the Merry thought and lace down the fleſh on both ſides the Breaſt-bone, and raiſe up the fleſh called the Brawn turn it out on both ſides, but neither break it nor cut it off; then cut off the Wing pinion at the Johnt next the Body, and ſtick on each ſide the Pinion or Wing, in the place you turned out the Brawn, but cut off the Sharp ends and take the middle-piece that will juſt fit the place: and thus you muſt uſe a Capon, only laying the Gizzard divided in the place where the Pinions of the Turkey were ordered to be put.

In diſmembring a Heron, you muſt take off both the Legs and lace it down the Breaſt raiſing up the fleſh, and taking it off clean with the Pinion, then ſtick the head on the breaſt and lay the Pinion, on the contrary ſide of the Carkaſs, and the Leg on the other ſide, ſo that the bones ends may meet over the Carkaſs, and the other Wing croſs over about the top of the Carkaſs.

To unbrace a Mallard, raiſe up the Pinion and the leg, but take them not off, raiſe the Merry thought from the Breaſt and lace it down ſlaopingly on each ſide the Breaſt and turn the back downwards.

In alaying a Pheaſant or wrining a Partridge cut them up as a Hen or Pullet, but if you mince your Partridge, Sawce it with Wine Powder of Ginger and Salt and keep it not on a Chaſing-diſh of Coles in the like manner, uſe a Quail.

To diſplay a Crane take off his Wings after you have unfolded his Legs, which muſt be done by the body Joynts: then take up his Wings and Legs and ſawce them with powder of Ginger, Muſtard, Vinegar and Salt.

And thus have I ſhewn you the difficulty of Carving ſuch Fleſh and Fowl as requires; as for what remains of leſſer moment I leave to your Diſcretion and proceed to other Curioſities.