Des bonnes moeurs et honnestes contenances que doit garder un jeune homme, tant à table qu'ailleurs, avec autres notables enseignemens

A compact manual from the early modern period, this work offers a young gentleman a clear set of rules for conduct both at the table and in everyday life. Rendered in rhymed French from an original Latin text, it reads like a lyrical handbook that blends moral instruction with practical advice, making the old‑world etiquette feel surprisingly lively.

The author walks the reader through every detail of proper appearance—clean clothes, tidy shoes, well‑kept hair and nails—before guiding him to wash his hands, sit correctly, and serve others without fuss. The verses then cover the finer points of table manners: taking modest bites, avoiding noisy expulsions, and keeping one’s breath and movements discreet. Even the seemingly trivial matters of grooming, such as brushing away lice or handling a cough, are treated with the same gentle authority.

Beyond its prescriptive tone, the book provides a vivid glimpse into the values and daily rhythms of its time, inviting listeners to hear the echo of centuries‑old courtesy while reflecting on timeless aspects of good manners.