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 inten∣ded 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 suita∣ble 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 Per∣son of a Youngman or a Maid; so it ought to be observed by them on all occa∣sions; 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 ap∣proach, and at some distance, setting one leg a little before the other, bend his Body with∣out moving his Feet, then advancing three steps do the like, waving or turning his head in bending that he may seem to pa his Re∣spects to more then one that's in the place then advancing to the Party to whom he in∣tends to speak, upon a third Congie, looking steadfastly, he may express himself as the oc∣casion 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 extream∣ly 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 re∣tire in the manner you advance. If it be to a Gentlewoman observe the same Rule diffe∣ing only in your Expression and offer a mo∣dest Salute, if you may do it without offend∣ing, 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 be∣fore her and by three Curtzies make her ap∣proach 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 man∣ner, unless she be desired to sit, but if to Wo∣men she may pass a Compleinent as the oc∣casions requires.

As for our Equals we must use them with all the obliging Terms of modesty and Civi∣lity as not to put our selves before, nor do any thing, whereby they may suppose them∣selves wronged or affronted: and use to∣wards 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 Respect∣ful, flying Pride or Contempt by all means doing them all the good Offices you can; both upon your own account and by inter∣ceeding 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 un∣seasonably, 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 un∣seemly 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 infe∣riours. 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 Par∣ty desired, &c.

IN Case of Love, our Youth after he has fixed his mind upon the Virgin he can fan∣cy, must, e're he lets her know his Passion or that lets it take too deep Root, find by obser∣ving or discoursing her, whether her Heart be not inclined another, way too much to be re∣called, 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, seem∣ing 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 Na∣ture: then is she cold I desire, and will not soon take Cupids fire, yet by seasonable ad∣dressing and obliging Courtship, may be soft∣ned and brought to a Complyance.

Again, if you would know when your Mi∣striss oves you, though she will dissemble her

passion by her Carriage and protest the con∣trary 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 seasona∣ble 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 ver∣tues, 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 af∣flicted Mortals, to send him a Cordial, though it be but Hope to give some ease to a fea∣vourish 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 fur∣ther

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 Ar∣mies; I have thought fit to give a brief Ac∣count of it: as also of carving, and of the best pieces, in case of difference of Persons in Respect and Quality: which, take as fol∣loweth.

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 mid∣dle and give the Nut-piece to those you mos•• esteem.

In boiled or roasted Beef, the part interli∣ned or interlarded with Fat, is most accepta∣ble.

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 Semi∣circle, 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 cle∣verly 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 af∣ter you have unfolded his Legs, which must be done by the body Joynts: then take up his Wings and Legs and sawce them with pow∣der of Ginger, Mustard, Vinegar and Salt.

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