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小说: more2-5 字数: 每页4000字

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      it; and a fire that they may shift and dress them before it。





      Every child is nursed by its own mother; if death or sickness does 


      not intervene; and in that case the syphogrants' wives find out a 


      nurse quickly; which is no hard matter; for anyone that can do it 


      offers herself cheerfully; for as they are much inclined to that 


      piece of mercy; so the child whom the nurse considers the nurse as 


      its mother。 All the children under five years old sit among the 


      nurses; the rest of the younger sort of both sexes; till they are 


      fit for marriage; either serve those that sit at table or; if they 


      are not strong enough for that; stand by them in great silence; 


      and eat what is given them; nor have they any other formality of 


      dining。 In the middle of the first table; which stands across the 


      upper end of the hall; sit the syphogrant and his wife; for that 


      is the chief and most conspicuous place: next to him sit two of 


      the most ancient; for there go always four to a mess。 If there is 


      a temple within that syphogranty; the priest and his wife sit with 


      the syphogrant above all the rest: next them there is a mixture of 


      old and young; who are so placed; that as the young are set near 


      others; so they are mixed with the more ancient; which they say 


      was appointed on this account; that the gravity of the old people; 


      and the reverence that is due to them; might restrain the younger 


      from all indecent words and gestures。 Dishes are not served up to 


      the whole table at first; but the best are first set before the 


      old; whose seats are distinguished from the young; and after them 


      all the rest are served alike。 The old men distribute to the 


      younger any curious meats that happen to be set before them; if 


      there is not such an abundance of them that the whole company may 


      be served alike。





      Thus old men are honored with a particular respect; yet all the 


      rest fare as well as they。 Both dinner and supper are begun with 


      some lecture of morality that is read to them; but it is so short; 


      that it is not tedious nor uneasy to them to hear it: from hence 


      the old men take occasion to entertain those about them with some 


      useful and pleasant enlargements; but they do not engross the 


      whole discourse so to themselves; during their meals; that the 


      younger may not put in for a share: on the contrary; they engage 


      them to talk; that so they may in that free way of conversation 


      find out the force of everyone's spirit and observe his temper。 


      They despatch their dinners quickly; but sit long at supper; 


      because they go to work after the one; and are to sleep after the 


      other; during which they think the stomach carries on the 


      concoction more vigorously。 They never sup without music; and 


      there is always fruit served up after meat; while they are at 


      table; some burn perfumes and sprinkle about fragrant ointments 


      and sweet waters: in short; they want nothing that may cheer up 


      their spirits: they give themselves a large allowance that way; 


      and indulge themselves in all such pleasures as are attended with 


      no inconvenience。 Thus do those that are in the towns live 


      together; but in the country; where they live at great distance; 


      everyone eats at home; and no family wants any necessary sort of 


      provision; for it is from them that provisions are sent unto those 


      that live in the towns。











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