Book excerpt: This classic book of etiquette and gastronomy, written by the British authors E. Ricket and C. Thomas in the 19th century, provides a wealth of information on how to behave and dine like a gentleman. The book covers topics such as table settings, seating arrangements, serving etiquette, wine selection, and conversation tips. It also includes recipes for various dishes, from oysters and turtle soup to game and pudding. The Gentlemans Table Guide is more than just a cookbook or a manners manual; it is a window into the culture and lifestyle of the Victorian era, and a source of inspiration for modern hosts and gourmets. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.