The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-19
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Our Washingto, Correspondence.

THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
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Our washIngto, Correspondence.
WASHINGTON Nov. Is 1858.
Dress and Manners al Public Places-A Fen Hints on Ma
onal BoiSterouness- Female Ro.odsism-Lionizaq de-
The recent coneerts of Madame Sentag inaugurating
the new Varieties" theatre, and of course calling out
all the fashion, elegance, prsension, aihtocraoy srob
berry and vugarity haunting banners which abound
shine FORTH and mixed in this notified metropolis
gives me opportunity for = few hints dress and
manners at places o. public amusement The remarks
make In these quasi essays all entirely in
the spirit Of good nature, and will tr asst be kindly and
probably received, not only In Washington but in the
various degrees of latitude and longitude which take
their origin from this grand national ceHtre.
First to the dress Of the gentlemen. The fabulous
Sacks surtouts and overcos the extraordinary waist
coats and groesque crayatsto say nc thing OF the
stunning" watch seals, chains, breastpns, rings, &C.,
&c-now universally fashionable 10 All public places
relic Of barbarsm They spring from the taste
which induces the Indian to paint his hide and gay
coored bones nose and which exists in full vigor
in the African The FIRST effect of refinement is
to subdue the manners, the voice, the Dress
so to avoid being the object special notice and re-
mark No one he's right to challenge the attention of
the company he may be in, and draw especially upon
himself, unless he has something to communicate of in
crest 10 all Nothing be vulgar obtrude
This first Lest in good breeding quite as much needed
by SO called fashionable ladies, gentlemen The loud
turninss to which ladies are in the habit Of resorna
whether from absolute ignorance spicable desire
to attract attention, are the very essence f vuyarity
and offensive to others they digracefu to
those who indulge in them
But to return the dress and behaviour the gentle
men: when you visit lady in the morning, you should
BLACK dark eoored frock straight ack with
dark colored gloves The overcoat should lett the
ball but account should the hat be left there
a h, is a
positive mpertpenceas imp les that the vsiter feels
himself home authorised to act as if he were in
his own house For theatres concerts, the
need no. be change from the morning made In thea
tr aud concert rooms such a. wa have in this conntrv
where here ars no private boxes, and where every thin
Is cone IT in grand para full evening dress ia
Affected snd except IN of the Italian opera in de-
cidedy bad taste As to the ladies' they may pretty
much they please permission OF which, mu II con
fess they are not backward in ticking advantage Real
harmonious full dress very rarely High esked
dresses and bar, ms with flowers feathers in the
hair are such upmg incongruitie ind
among well educated ps pie. AMI those viii to and
parti colored worsed denominations for the head
prevalent there words to characterize their
m s Or tho Sf
face produce hing but tt most unpeasing effect
They seem to If the lady had taken nap in her
rocking chair after dir had brought the
tidy her head hope they win be speedily banished.
How to enter ear age and how to sit in it, things
little understood, and almest universally mapractc
One should not leap iom the ground to the STEP
Threatening to overurn the vehicle by the weight of the
oscillation and almost inevitably bringing thu door with
bang against your own elbow, the bonnet of the
lady you attending. Set your foot firmly upon
the step press it gently until YOUR whole weight is
upon it. then pass quietly taking retain
hold OF the door until you that the adys dress is
properly arranged not to be caught in the shutting
or course the LADY, who has entered first has taken
farther place the back seat and you pae yourself by
her sid-not straight and Rise like rank and file
soldier, but turned half towards her BY similar posi-
tion Der part you sufficiently face to face
With ease as if you seated sofa Never
very rarely offer to ladys shawl parasol
put your hand her shoulder her waist las
Is so often done in assisting her opt of the carriage
into her seat To delicate woman all such capper claw
ing is the most insue able rudeness The proper way
when you asht, is to offer your left arm support
for the ady's right hand. and to hold your right
hand readiness should the exgences of skirts &C. per-
init her taking with her left 10 ascending staircase
kesp side by side with the lady, but do be
tatou in Offering your arm, lest in attempting to take
it, she Deglects the management of skirts steps on
her Iess and either falls or tears the dress out at the
waist
you attend two ladies', place the one next you who
is entitled either by rank preference, the post of
honor-but no account whatever walk between them
man with lady ch arm is lang psraphrase
OF DOM ey laden with two panners Observe different
rule however, in taking yenr places in concert 70
The gentleman tn should be preceded and fol-
lowed by Lady AT table, gentleman ard lady who
have guest, Il speak OF the hotel table, for
always place him or her between them the guests
also two then you place the lacy guess between your
vile and yourself While the gentleman takes the other
eud of the line leaving the ladies in the mi Idle The
gic, we'll the convenience of ali these little
engagements, will be suggested By single thought-snd
hos much awkxardnsss and consequent modification
aDd annoyance would BE- avoided by careful observance
OF these sinple rules
There IL practice among gentlemen, at concerts
thesres, &s which ought be condsm ned tabooed
monsrous bsrbarisrs that is lie wing lady alone
twice in the of the evening going
to stske drink This dstestabie habit is pur ly
rcap, and It certainly is slight which lady of spirit
ought to endure As 10 chewing Of gentleman
do that in the presence OF ladies' Another disgrace
full thing the way whch ladies sit al the evening
with gentemans pressed closely around the back
OF the neck in which, any where else would be
ca Led downright huggipg
Our third lesson viii consist of observations upon
the ladies' ordinary, the ordinary extraordinary
dongs there. TIE city is lng up unusually early and
we Ehau have gy and splendid ason with lots of fun
QUEyEDO.