PAGE SIXTEEN T HE MICHIGAN DAILY SUNDAY, DEJOEMBER 11, 1949 . 1 ! !} t _ r Old Time Customs Revealed In Origin of Silverware Usage Eating peas with one's knife was not always uncouth. Time was when banqueters held their food in a napkin with one band, while with a knife in the other they cut it, and -so carried it to their mouths. It was the back of the knife, which in polite society,' entered the mouth, and the protuberance on the back of old-fashioned knives is a relic of this custom which lingered long after the habit Of eating with a knife had disap- peared. Today, knives are so made ot for the original purpose, but as a matter of "style." There being no forks in the early days, the hosts at banquets were particular to see that each guest New Fabrics To HitBeach Women who are turning their attention toward beach clothes, either in anticipation of a holiday vacation in the South or a more remote summer vacation, are find- ing that a variety of fabrics- from burlap to velvet-are being made into swimming suits. One of the most popular fabrics is nylon. Both nylon satin and toff eta are being widely used. wta -,made of everything from burap to needle-point knitted wool to watered velvet are ap- pearing on southern beaches. In regard to color, navy blue seems to be one of the leaders in the popularity race. It is even like- ly that it will take over the place on the beac hthat has been oc- cupied by black for several sea- sons. Many of the new play clothes feature the wrapped look or the pleated look. Ultra-short pleated skirts and long shorts are winning popularity at the winter resorts. The short skirts may be worn as substitutes for shorts or they may, be worn over swimming suits. was served with water with which to wash, one attendant served the guest with a jug and basin while another stood by with a towel. * * * KNIVES WERE seldom provid- ed, as it was the common practice peo ie toscarry their own knives in a sheath attached to the girdle. Rich people had their silver spoons then as now. The less fortunate used copper or pewter. The stems of these utensils, in the course of time, became a ve- hicle for ornamentation, and the ends of handles were often en- riched with a reproduction of per- sonages and animals. IN THE MIDDLE Ages, the us- ual first gift which a boy or girl received was one or more spoons. Ihe Apostle Spoons were the fav- orite - the twelve, with the Mas- ter Spoon, making a full set. No doubt this idea was gotten from the heathen, who intro- duced the figures of their gods on almost every utensil. Thus the Souvenir Spoon was born. The use of forks was introduced into England from Italy early in the seventeenth century.This made the table wash basin unnecessary. However, oursfinger bowls are the relic of that custom. - * HISTORY SAYS that Governor Winthrop had the first table fork ever brought to America. In 1633, when forks were rare in England, he received one from a friend who wrote saying that he was sending him a case containing "a knife, a bodekyn, and a fork for the use- ful application of which I leave to your discretion." From this time on forks found their place, becoming popular, and their use more general. Spoons and forks during these times were almost invariably of the "Rat Tailed" design. From the handle down the back of the bowl, to about the middle, ran a ridge shaped like a rat tail. Qvr '(H E ______RD Clasical". . By AL SILVER NCLUDED in the stream of Telefunken sets now being pressed in America by Capitol is a performance of Schubert's Ninth Symiphony by Mengdlberg and the Cencertgebouw Orchestra of Amsetrdam (P- 8040). If you know the tonal magnificance and crisp playing of this combination from their finer pre-war releases (such as Ein Hel- denleben and Brahm's Third), you will find them somewhat faded in this album. Not only does it suffer from the slight engineering deficiencies marking most domestic Telefunkens, but Mengel- berg's over-fuzzy onslaught on Schubert is more than irritating. Egregious tempo distortions in the opening allegro alienate the listener at once, while affectations which transform the delightful second movement into a piece of pseudo-sophistication serve only to prepare him for the further shock of Mengelberg's sherzo. What Schubert apparently intended here as a fanciful play of the imagination appears as a ponderous, heavy-handed affair in which any fun making is distinctly of the beer-garden variety. Mengelberg's dragging tempo manages to diffuse this "symphony of heavenly length", into proportions hardly celestial. The recording contains only some of what the Concertgebow can offer in the way of distinctive tone, but is strong in depth. Surface on the LP dubbing occasionally annoys, and clarity deteriorates badl3 at the end of record sides. Both Walter and Toscanini, in very differ- ent interpretations, offer enriching approaches to this symphony in domestic albums. * * * * , 4 NOTHER STAPLE of the orchestral literature, Mozart's incompar- able Symphony No. 40, is undertaken by Erich Kleiber and the London Philharmonic in a London FFRR release (LPS 89). Any recording of this work must bear comparison with Beech- am's masterful version for Columbia, now among the most res- pected items in the catalogues. Kleiber's challenge is a thoroughly meritorious performance, backed by the considerable advantages of full-frequency recording and an extraordinarily skillful en- semble. Those of us who have lived this music a la Beecham may dislike the silkiness of the opening, but Kleiber expertly avoids the question- and-answer routine with which many conductors debase this theme, and captures well the drama of the development We may take issue with the adagio's quick tempo and its violent climax, but cannot doubt its sincerity. And we may legitimately won- der if Kleiber fully communicates the sinister, demoniac quality of the minuet, or the mixed lightness, earnestness and' humor of the finale But it is difficult to cross batons with Sir Thomas on his home grounds and not come out second best. Kleiber's product is clearly superior to those of many with far better-known names, and his success in gathering the necessary element of mystery around this fateful score is striking. Although failure to observe repeats in allegro and minuet is a drawback, certainly this recording, and the Reiner-Pittsburg per- formance on Columbia, are outstanding among attempts to compensate for the lack of a recent Beecham edition. That RCA's currrent Fortieth is a middle-aged, unidiomatic Toscanni set badly hashed up by the engineers, gives us reason to hope that the gap will soon be filled. jN TIME for the Christmas rush comes the inevitable Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, with Issac Stern and the Philadelphia Orchestra under Hilsberg superbly reproduced on Columbia LP (ML 4232) This set fails to match the clean lines and controlled fury of theclassic Heifetz-Barbarolli RCA album, but that achievement is now badly worn, and Stern's effort is by far the best since. The unusually deliberate pace of the first movement permits some of the seams to show, but does invest this display-piece with a trace of dignity. Incisive playing and tonal richness are the chief virtues of what will probably prove a best-seller. Jazz".." By JOHN OSMUNDSEN ONCE A YEAR, some song writer goes berserk and composes a novel- ty in the spirit of Christmas. Last year, we were plagued by a Christmas wish for Two Front Teeth, but for the next few weeks, it appears likely that we shall be forced to succumb to a crazy little ditty entitled, I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas (Capitol, 57-781). Yust is sung by Yogi Yorgesson-in Swedish dialect, yet-and is a lament from one who is glad that the Yule Log is burned but once a year. The lyrics are quite clever, and Yogi's short monologue should give the listener a lot of laughs. The reverse side is Yogi's interpretation of Yingle Bells which is cleverly re-worded. Yogi is backed up on both sides by the Johnny Duffy Trio, but it is best to omit a musical evaluation here. * * * * * NEW VOCALISTS come and go, and few stay long enough to gain much recognition unless they take the public by storm-and then it's all a matter of time. Mindy Carson is a new name in the ranks of popular vocalists, and she falls into the category of the before men- tioned lucky few who catch on fast. One of her first discs is a pretty coupling of Lonely Girl and You're Different (Victor, 20-3530). On both sides, she exhibits an accomplished touch; her phrasing is not new but somewhat different from her contemporaries, and her lilting tone and good sense of rhythm give her a wonderfully relaxed sound. Mindy is very ably backed by Henri Reni and his orchestra. Both songs are possible popular sellers and well arranged with a vocal chorus background aiding Mindy and Henri. Campus florists have little hope of filling their tills with money spent by students on holiday blos- soms. "Most of our Christmas selling is to town people as students are shopping in their local stores by the time that our busiest period comes," one shop manager ex- plained. THE FLORISTS, however, noted that they sell a considerable amount of pine greens, holly and ornate candles for house parties the two weeks prior to vacation. Biggest selling item is mistle- Joint Dance To Be Held Celebrating their relationship as brother and sister fraternities, members of Kappa Alpha Theta and Phi Gamma Delta will present a joint dance during the pre- Christmas rush. Origin of the kinship dates back to the founding of Theta, when a headstrong coed refused a Phi Gam pin unless initiation into the fraternity went with it. The Phi Gams refused and Theta was born, the coed founded her own fraternity. Although brother-sIster fratern- ity relationships on other campus- es are quite common, fraternities and sororities on this campus haven't done much along that line up to this time, although it is traditional for many groups to go caroling together around this sea- son. MISTLETOEREIGNS: FloralBoom Not Expected- toe. Flower shop proprietors re- port that fraternities and sorori- ties do the largest amount of buying of thisrplant. Flower dealers are looking for- ward to Easter and Mother's Day. "We do our biggest business of the year at these times, telegraph- ing flowers and plants home for students," one store clerkpointed out. PANHELLENIC and Assembly Balls, as well as J-Hop week-end, are other high spots for the flor- ists. "We would do a lot more busi- ness if it weren't for the Uni- versity rule against men taking corsages to women except for girl-bid dances," a store owner lamented. Mrs. F. M. Sprentall, secretary to Dean Alice Lloyd, however, com- mented that the University has made no such rule. "It is just a student custom," she said. Most students have no idea what they plan to buy when they enter the shop, but generally leave with carnations, roses, or- chids or gardenias, according to the florists. Men's Caps Sport Flashing Checks Bright, flashing checks aren't limited to women's skirts or ker- chiefs these days; male collegiates now sport them on racy "rah rah" peaked caps. Beset with all the rainbow has to offer, these wide, narrow- brimmed affairs are a takeoff on the common golf cap so popular on the greens and fairways. SPEC Take Adv STUDEN 4 Lbs. Minimur Each Additions All clothing laundered, f The following articles are as follows SHIRTS, addition (Starch or no starc HAN DKERCH IEF SOX, pair...... (Wool) ..... Tux shirts and silk or wo PICK UP AND MOE LA Phone 2-0916 4I.4 Topcoats, dresses, two suits cleaned and pres . . . and trousers, ski for only A&PC 121 East Liberty :IALS!! antage of our T BUNDLE _....__w___._._.._ - ___ __. -°---- d m . " .. . s Pound . .. 50c . .12c fluff dried, and neatly folded. e finished at low extra charges al excl Ch exactly as requested) 15c 2c S . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2c ..........5c .I ool sport shirts slightly higher. DELIVERY SERVICE AUNDRY 208 S. First Street Chriiimai Car(IJ Personal greeting WE CAN END YOUR CHRISTMAS APPLIANCES WORRIES WITH OUR Floor Lamps, Bed Lamps, Study Lamps, Silex Coffee - makers, Hot Plates, Electric Mixers, Irons, Toasters, Waffle Irons, and Clocks Ernst Electric Shop 4 205 E. Washington Phone 7776 l H E LP Your Mistletoe Get RESULTS Let us put your wardrobe in order, and three piece 69c sed for only rts, and sweaters 39c LEANERS Across from the Pretzel Bell S I" r r qf *W~3 with name J j 1 i 25 for $1.00 and up . i Box assortment . . . 29c to $2.50 GIFT WRAPPINGS - CARDS - SEALS The Mayer-Schairer Co. 112 South Main Phone 3-4515 ... .. sr C/un4 t twz4 ~peciS4!i .. / . " - --. , r' ,, :, \ --- - : \ r , 'Sz., ,,, "ate- h~. Via; F .r r' r f ice'" : .: r.: ' . F . .' ::. ' 1 , - .., , .< ,,, . ,: _- _ _ #,! = ' _ { , AS A MUSICAL GIFT FROM HOLIDAY HEADLINERS Phonos and Players for All Records 1. Children's AC Phone by Trav-Ler, for 78 rpm records. Good tone; 2 tubes, easy to carry from room to room. Selection of colors. $14.95 2. Columbia Long Playing Player. Columbia L-P player attaches easily, plays Long-Playing rec- ords through the speaker system of any radio, phono or TV set. In trim, sturdy plastic case. $20.95 value. NOW $9.95 3. RCA Victor "45". 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Excerpts from the enchanting ballet music of Delibes. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; Fabien Sevitzky, cond. RCA Victor DM-1305.................$7.25 3. Danny Kaye, "comic artist extra- z 2. G-E superheterodyne table radio; 5 tubes; built-in antenna. Ivory, $22.95; Brown plastic, $19.95. I , :< ' -U i e , ::. r... .. . f _ 6 4 i - '.;i : w."'*'