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on these occasions, made after a particular fashion, and called “ apostlespoons,” from having figures of saints carved or engraved on the handles.Rich sponsors gave a complete set, which consisted of thirteen, Christand the twelve apostles; those of lower rank, a shorter set, the fourevangelists; and persons of still less wealth, two or one, their favouritesaints, or bearing reference to the child’s name. In 1576, Amy Brent,of Charing, in Kent , gentlewoman, widow of William Brent, Esquire,bequeathed to Lord Bergavenny thirteen silver spoons, with the figuresof J’hu and his twelve apostles.”*

It does not appear that Jfjorfesi were known even at the end ofElizabeth’s reign. So late as 1608, Tom Coryat describes them as anovelty. In his work, published in 1611, called “ Crudities hastilygobbled up, in five Months’ Travels in France , Savoy, Italy , &c.,” hementions a custom throughout the cities of Italy , which he had neverobserved in any other country, namely that of using a “ forcke whenthey eat their meate.” He adds, that “ I thought good myself toimitate the Italian fashion, by this forcked cutting of meate since I camehome. A learned friend of mine once, in a merry mood, doubted not tocall me at table Furcifer, only for using a forcke at feeding.” ToCoryat, therefore, may be ascribed the introduction of this decentcustom into England.

In Ben Jonson ’s comedy of “ The Devil is an Ass,” (1616), Meercraftspeaks of his “ project of the forks,” and Sledge inquires—

“ Forks ? what be they ?

Meercraft answers —“ The laudable use of forks,

Brought into custom here, as they are in Italy ,

To th’ sparing o’ napkins.”

Testamenta Vetusta.