Whether the passing fashion of the day exact it of her or not, a gentlewoman should always, for her own sake, be able to carve well and easily, the dishes which are placed on the table before her, that she may be competent to do the honours of a table at any time with propriety and self-possession. To gentlemen, especially those who mix much in society, some knowledge of this art, and a certain degree of skill, in the exercise of it are indispensable, if they would avoid the chance of appearing to great disadvantage themselves, and causing dissatisfaction and annoyance to others; for the uncouth operations of bad carvers occasion almost as much discomfort to those who witness, as they do of general awkwardness and embarrassment to those who exhibit them.
Lois Elsden 