Red Wing sentinel., 1860-06-20

lNT.tOOUCrIONs.

lNTkOOUCrIONS.
"Col.' JONES'" said our Texan friend
"this is my friend, Major Smith. Il
he steals anything from you, am re-
spon>ble.
This was the Texan form of introduc
ton good while ago and when that
great and growing State was the re.
sort Of many prople who found a resi-.
ltncce il, more .nothern and eastern
localities inconvcl,icnt.
But it expresses the spirit Of a! in
Productions. The man who introduces
another is responsible for his general
conduct. 1t is understood that no
one will introduce a blackguard, a
jrowiiy, a. swindfer, a'thief, or per.
son Of equivocal reputation. An intro.
duction Is an Endorsement, and not to
be, given lightly. Ifa man introduc.
ed to me by y mutual acquaintance
picks my pockets, or borrows my
money without intending 20 pay
which is only milder form Of the
same transaction-or makes love to
my wife, or turns ont to be disrepu-
table character in any respect, my
friend, who introduced him is, justly,
ought to;be legally, responsible. We
should never Introduce q gentle.
man to lady, without knowing
his ch aracter well, and without having
view to all possible consequences.
H. may Be good fellow among tel-
lows, and yet not the sort OF a fellow,
after all, one would care to intr oduce
to his sister,. or friend.
| 1t for this reason that a. Ballroom
introduction is no introduction at all,
! when the ball is over. Ii does not
authorize gentlemen to speak to the
lady whom he may have hrgged thro'
half All hours polka. 1t does not re-
cognize him in the street. And when
persons are thrown together in pic
MICS Or travelling, the rule is the same.
People get very sociable on steam
boat, on trip from St. Louis or Lou
isville to New Orleans, who will pass
each other in the street after landing,
with scarcely nod Of recognation.
In Europe ION the continent we
mran) every gentlemen considers him.
self on civil speaking terms with every
other; anil every lady, also, in travel
ii'n's aniim public places, without the
tor'nality Of an introduction. He may
s;,:-.l< to improper persons, it is true !:
bat what Of that? There. is no harm
dou.. He does not considerc himself
compromised. He is friendly, social,
obIiging, and enjoys life as it passes,
| and contributes to the enjoyment of
others. The English and Americans,
rs rule, are cold. repulsivc, and rude
to strangers, Fhey viii not enter into
conversation without being introduc
ID. Ii New Orleans, French polite
ness and southern warmth and cl1iya1
ry have combined TO produce more
genial manners. Our northern men
and women who visit New Orleans.
seem to the people there like so many
icebcrgs. When New Orleans gcn-
tleman; passing along the street sees
4 lady, a perfect stranger; about to
alight from an omnibus; he springs to
the door, hands her out carefully,
takes off his hat, and bids her good
morning. She thanks hi'n--which =
northern lady seldom does on any oc-
casion--and each, no doubt feel all
the better for the momcntary encoun-
ter. .,:...r r..,. ..s.. ..f.,l .-...
Every year more and more Ameri-
cans travel in Europe. They spend We.
ry little time in England, which is well
for their manners. In France and TIA
| ", they can learn a good deal, provi3
ed they do not contine themselves to
American aud English society,". If
they do this, they might as well stay
at home. In few years, it is to be
hoped, an American gentleman will
behave like fellow human being to
those around him, without the ceremo-
ny of an introduction and an Amer
ican lady will not think it necessary
to bite mans head off it he offers
her an ordinary civility. 1a ii ea:s.~
| ,- .