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BdSUlS anil (CUlfl’Su —Before the cleanly custom of using a fork waspractised, the hands were frequently washed during dinner; a basinand ewer were handed for that purpose by an attendant. At the feastgiven by Henry VIII. to the French Ambassadors, there were three ewry-boards, one for the king, another for the queen, and the third for theprinces. “ The first borde had nine great ewers and basins, all gilteand playne, the seconde borde had three great gilte basins chased, andthree paire of covered basyns chased, all gilte, with cups of assaie; theywere so great, that every lord grudged to bear them: the third ewry hadnine basyns, and two were so massye, that they troubled sore thebearers.”

Gremio, enumerating the furniture of his house, says he has

“ Basins and ewers to lave her dainty hands .”—Taming the Shrew .

And Petruchio, in the same play, farther illustrates the usage.Preparing to sit down to the bridal supper, he says,

“ Come, Kate, and wash, and welcome heartily.”

In “ The Mirrour of Madnes”* a rich man’s house is described; andamong other articles of plate, which “ are adorned after the richest,costlieste, and most gloryous maner,” is “ the greate basen and ewer, bothof silver and golde ; filled at convenient tymes with sweete and pleasauntwaters, wherewith my delicate hands may be washed, my headerecreated, and my nose refreshed.”

—At the conclusion of Queen Anne Bulleyn’s coro-nation dinner, she took wafers and ipocras; “ the table was then taken

* 1576.

t After a banquet given in 1519, by King Henry , “ a voidee of spices” was served in sixtyspice-plates of silver and gilt, “ as great as men with ease might beare.”— Holingsiied.