Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-11-06

Il There is Il lamcntablc want of
q true and honorable nationality Of char
acter among the American people, as
/ far as the social relations of life are con-
cerncd. We all profess TO be Republl-
cans, and we should all, therefore, in all
things, demean ourselves in Il true Re-
/ publican manner. II is apparent TO cv-
cry one that many Of those who claim
TO belong to the best society, in this
country, that is the fashionable socic-
ty,--endeavor to initiate as near rs pos
sible, the manners, customs and habits
Of some of the European nations, par
ticuIarIy the English and French We
are free to confess that we have no ian4
cy for anything that appertains 10 either
OF these nations, as for as the social
compact is concerned but still, their
\ customs are endurabc with them, or
when one is among them because they
are purely national, and seem to belong
10 the character Of the people, and the
forms OF government under which they
live. But we are disgustcd when we
see Americans, distinct race, compos.
Ell oi Il different class OF people, who are
governed by different laws and controll4
ed by different religions, and who ought
character and social organizations i'm
itating the customs Of those nations. II
you 90 abroad, and visit in society there
you can scarccl y recognise the gencraii-
ty Of Americans by their appearance,
manners, customs or conversation, eX-
crpt that The imitation is Il little more
ridiculous than the original. Our young
men, with few exceptions, initiate the
drrsa, manners, customs, mt dc ofpronun-
cia ION, &C., Of those among whom they
are. The Frcnchman II distinct in his
social attributes, SO with the English
man, Spaniari Italian, German, - and
in tact those of all other nations. But
the American hae no nationality, in this
respect he is II compound Of all, but
not sufficiently distinct for one to tell
, precisely who or which he is aping -
\ young American wears the French
mans moustachc, assumes his dress,
npas his manners which give him II
/ bahoonish air, ,-acquires the Iazncss Of
/ the Italian. The haulmrss OF the English
/ man. -and practices the immortality of
; the Freuchman with astonishing lacili-
. ty, almost us it was natural 10 him.
When n true hearted aud sensible Am
crcan goes abroad, he always bushes
for the weakness oI his counrrymcn, 10
zee them thus initiating all manner of
/ foreign folly instead Of rcpres cntlng
their country honorabIy and credittby
abroad, in il plain, honorable and sub
stantial Republican manner.
No American can be admitted into
the first society OF England unless he
goes thoroughly accredited from this
couutry,-ard even then lie progresses
according as lie is judged by expcrimcn-
tai observation. How different are
matters in America. Some squirt Of Il
! fellow lands upon our shores, without
letters or testimonials of any kind. But
! he dresses elegantly, wears Il nous
tachc, bows cHqui itcly, and appears to
understand all the little ridiculous form
uIas OF what is termed etiquette IN fash,
ionable society. He makes The acquains
tancc Of some foolish young American,
at Il bar,roorn, nt the billiard table, or
7 at some nameless place OF plcaSa'c--
and makes himself known as Il Count.
! That is enough; the young American
seeks his society, and Immediately intro
ccS him at the next party which is Civ
I en- where the American visits. Or. if 1t
! is at hotel, he ushcrs him inIo the
| parlor and introduces him to all his lc-
male acquaintances, as Count SO aud
So. The ladies', that is, very many OF
them, but we are glad to say not AL -
are perfectly delighted at making the
acqua aintance of an actual live Count
he shows them all manner of attentions,
invites them to ride and sail and play
billiards and nine-pins, take pleasant
walks, bathe, go to concerts, hops, &c,
all Of which attentions are accepted,
and everything goes charmingIy on for
little time. They know nothing about
him, or his family (; he may have been a
coachman in his own country or the
I b-oken-dowu sou Of man Of position and
II character, which, by the way, in our
estimation, is lar the most 10 be dCs-
II pissed of tho two. In short, the tiiIed for
eiLncr i freely admitted everywhere,
aud cnioy s himself to his hearts con-
tent until he is guilty OF soue piece Of
rascalty. or has run in debt until no one
II will longer trust him. and then he sud
denly disappears between two days,
leaving nothing but the odor of his ras-
caliiy n legacy to his creditors, aud a
p. consolation 10 those who warmed and
nurscd him into being aud place among
them. This is no fancy picture, for just
such and even much worse cases ave