The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-12
FRENCH ETIQUETTE.

Whether with individuals or with nations
nothing tends SO much to the continuance of
friendship as a good understanding. Etiquette
was invented so to discipline and set in order
meetings and assemblies, whether great or small,
that they may not be disordely mobs II eti-
quette were identical and uniform all the world
over, social intercourse would roll on anti.fric-
tion wheels. All would go right, or nearly so.
Frivolous grounds of ill-will and quarrel would
be greatly diminished. No one would have the
right to take Ofense at form or usage which is
stringent on everybody without exception. Asit
is, half the bitches, puls-up, and stoppages which
occurs in society result from Mr.. and Mrs. So
and-so's taking umbrage at proceedings on the
part of Mr.. and Mrs. Such-a one, which Mr.. and
Mrs. Sueh-a-one never dreamt would give ofIense.
They have unintentionally violated some rule of
politeness, on which their neighbors insist, while
they make light of it, Or perhaps are ignorant of
its existence.
Unfortunately no universal code of etiquette
exists. The rules vary in various countries
What is sufficient for the occasion here is in
sufficient there. What Is polite amongst Turks
is The reverse amongst Christians.
With politeness as with everything else too
much of good thing Is good for nothing. "Est
znodus in rebtts," saith Horace. There Is reason
in roasting eggs. To overdo any observance is
The world, which is especially ruled BY eti-
quette-the world of cOurts-affords plentiful
examples OF the absurdty of overstraining con-
ventional rules. A king surrounded by attendants,
may yet have to wait barefoot, in consequence OF
the absence of the officer whose right is to shoe
royal feet. When Cardinal Richeeu was nego-
tiating with the English ambassadors the mar
rage of Henrietta of France with our Charles l.,
the match was nearly broken off on account of
two or three additional steps in advance to meet
them, which the said ambassadors exacted
kichelieu got over the difficulty by taking to his
bed.
Philip the Third of Spain, seriously IN, was
sitting IN bis armchair before a fire on which an
unnecessary quantity OF wood was piled. AS the
heat became uncomfortably fierce, the king re-
quested the Dons who were present 10 remove
few blazing brands from the hearth. But the
grandee of Spain who enjoyed the sole privilege of
laying finger on the royal fire was absent, and
had TO be HentfOr The kings arm chair mig have
been drawn back. But the grand chamberlain
alone possessed that prerogatye; and the cham
berlAin was In fault, well the stoker. More,
IL is forbidden, under pain Of DEATH to touch the
person Of Spanish royalty. Consequently, in
virtue of court etiquette, and in the presence Of
his courtieTs the king was done 80 thoroughly Y
brown that he died OF the roasting the very next
day.
Thank heaven, in ordinary society, things are
not carried 10 such extremes. Nevertheless il is
possible for poIiteness 10 be exaggerated into at
fectation. Thus, il is a mark of respect O. yield
the precedence at the threshold OF a door; but
70 insist too long and obstinately, becomes rilcu-
lous. A dramatic writer concludes an act OF a
comedy by the entrance Of two old ladies who
come 10 call at the same house. They mutually
agree 10 60 IN first with such persistence that the
dIOp scene closes on them before either Will as
sumo the precedence. leu minutes afterwards
when the drop scene rises, the dOwagers are sgil
at their struggle of ceremony and it is only after
debate Of several seconds that one OF them
makes up her mind 70 enter.
Certain rules Of court etiquette may, pCrh aps
appear ridiculous, and Iepugnance may be
TFnfr -. q.
pluck mp courage under adverse circumstances
and TO 90 at Rome as they do az Rome Nlpo-
leon-Whom no one will accuse Of being wanting
~ Signiy himself OF Of wishing his representa-
SAID To an English envoy, who bad been refused
an audience by the Emperor Of China beraus se he
would not PROSTATE himself in the manner re-
qnlreo, "Monsleurl should request my ambas-
hadOri II necessary u Tie "a couple of hours on the
IA his mission"
The first condition Of preseuabuity in society
Is cleanliness. Personal ueatne-s and meatiI
proprieiy ought 10 march together side by siir
intellectual ability is no excuse for per-ouaI
negligence. Noltaire and Ciccro-a curious
brace 10 couple-bOth strongly insist on cIeauli-
ness, and both urge that It be without atfestation
not carried so far as the Dutch danes ueatness
who refused 10 let her house be shown 10 Chgrles
V, "because, she said, "he won't take OF his
shoes"
You ought 10 salute all persons Of your nc
quaintance wherever you happen To meet them
It Is bad taste 20 refrain from sautng an inferior
mtil be has first saluted you. Not 10 return a
salute, out of pride, is the proof Of a silly aud
marrow mind. In out of lie way places, aud in
the country, it is customary 20 salute unknown
persons whom you chance to meet. II you are
walking with a friend, and he is saluted by one
OF bis friends, you also are bound 10 return the
salute, though unacquainted with the person who
makes il. Intimate friends salute by a motion Of
the hand equals, by taking on the hat and rails
ing Ii a lille above the head, or by slight bend
Of the knee, as If making a curtsey. When, after
exchanging salutations, you enter INTO CONVERSE
tion with q superior or a lady, you ought, IN
France, 20 remain uncovered, hat IN hand, until
rQuuleted 10 replace n.