Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-04-14
French Etiquette.

The following interesting account Of So
cia manners IA Paris, is given IN letter
published IN the New York Tunes. The
Boston transcript, IN endorsing the stale
ments of the writer, adds -" There would
be rebellion IN every house here, If the at
tempt was made to introduce Partisan Gus
toms, and compel mamma TO accompany her
daughter on all occasions. An extra SIS
ter Is hardly tolerated 10y our young coup
les, when they visit places OF pubic amuse-
meut, aud The very idea OF mother to act
as body-guard for young lady IN America,
would be booted by al damseis Of spirit,
aud would be equivalent To uceNierconrse
on the part Of Young men of seli-respect."
We may copy French styles Of dress and
tolerate French cooking, bur we shall be
content to allow three thousand miles OF
water to separate US from the etiquette
which prevails in Paris IN regard 10 social
customs. The correspondent Of the Times
remarks:-
Newly arrived Americans always express
an unmlngled surprise at contrasting BALI
room here with the bathrooms they have
left behind. The Distinguishing features OF
difference are the form and manners of the
young unmarried ladies' at home, aud their
retiring demeanor here. This difference IS
worth making note Of Married ladies'
upon the Continent sway and give tone 10
society; while IN America, It IS to those
ladies whose youth aud extent OF experience
render their conversation and manners any
thing but instructive or interesting, that the
task of sustaining social intercourse Is COM
mtted True, YOU oil know what a young
lady Is IN ballroom at home Let me say
Ia few words what she Is 10 ballroom
here.
Ia the FIRST place, young unmarried la
dy ls expected TO dress modestly aud SUM
ply She cannot wear velvet nor lace /;
she cannot dress IN yellow; she cannot
wear JeWelry, except perhaps earrings, COLI
Iainiug each a single diamond with as little
setting as possible II is only OF late that
she mas been allowed to have fluunces to her
gowns, and to arrange her hair with artlh-
cal flowers. She may wear false pearls,
but not real ones--may wear necklaces and
bracelets of coral, IVORY, Venice, small az
ates, &c, bu, NOT Of precious stones. She
cannot 20 10 a bal! without her mother or
an elderly lady to chaperoue her she can
not 20 alone without her father She stays
with her mother or chaperone throughout
the evening, except when she dances-and
then does not leave her place I'll the music
gives The signal, aud returns to il the mo-
ment the dance IS over. she cannot prom
enade with her partner tete-a-tete Is
hopeless; a private interview m corner or
behind curtin would compromise her for
ever. The free and easy manners ofan A
merlcan parlor transported INTO the Fau-
boufG st Germam would make a French
man imagine he was IN bcdIam broke loose.
This restraint is necessary for many rea-
sous. A gentleman, invited by the lady Of
the house, IS considered authorized TO ask
any lady present 10 dance without introduce
ton. 1t Is evident, however, that he can
not expect to become an acquaintance, or to
claim any thing further than the honor of
the dance. Again, if the same facilities
we're allowed ia France for the intimacy of
young women and young men that are per-
mitted la America, the most dlsorganlzlng
consequences would ensue. A home, be-
lleye that the freedom of intercourse be-
tween the sexes leads to but little disorder
aud laxily Of morals. have heard that our
young ladies go alone 10 the theatre with
young men, 10 walk with them, to ride with
them, sleigh riding event. and come home
no worse than they went, or perhaps only a
kiss or two worse This would be utterly
out of the question here. A young lady
seen walking or ridiQg with a gentleman
would at once be suspected TO have lost all
she had worth keeping, and probably the
supposllon would be correct. If insur-
mountable obstacles are thrown in the way
ola greater familiarity between masters and
misses, II is because they have been found
Indispensable.
Amencan families that live here as resi-
dents, are OF course Obliged to bring up
their daughters IN the French fashion,
They never leave their mothers side, and
walking, driving and thealre-golng with