The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-21

tDresden Correspondence Of the Springfield Republican,
The manners of the people here strike one as
much more democratic than those of the English.
There is far less apparent consciousness OF In
feriority the part Of certain classes especially
servants and tradespeople. X England this was
very noticeable, the walters, Sor example, In the
hotels and restaurants, did not seem to assume
any common humanity with you. They under
stood their business. The average English waiter
made you feel that his father and his grandfather
were walters before him. Surely blood and breed
ing must have combined to 'produce man who
knew the duties of his place SD exactly Some OF
them were most dignied personages. remem-
Der the waiter at the Mitre tavern In Oxford that
paragon of Enelish inns. Such inns had read Of,
but supposed they were among the things Of the
past, along with mail coaches and the like. But
OF the Mitre, for the rst time and at many places
sfterward, did we find the comfort the privacy.
the traditional characters Of landlord and barmaid
and oster, all IN their glory, making whole that
gave to the saying "Shsll not take mine ease in
mine innW meaning never before dreamed Of.
Our waiter at the Mitre was O. dgnifed gray haired
functionary, with q flavor Of the antiquity and
venerableness that pervsded the old college town.
With what quiet he spread she table In the bright
little sitting room, how he removed the covers
II be had practiced the maaeuver for lifetime
And how did blush inwaraly on making mis-
take 10 carving under the eyes Of the accomplished
man - t i -
More wonderful still was the waiter at the Edin.
burRh, that most perfect OF hotels, with every
cuodIutbs.
bishop of Canterbury. never met his grace. but
l do not believe he Is more diguhed or afable
old gentleman, and hope should not feel so
abasbed In bis presence. rot that our Edinburgh
great man was in the LEASE overbearing, far from
il; his very amiablenets Joined 70 such majestic
manners made you feel ashamed to accept mental
Offices at the hand Of such:s venerable character.
The average English waiter did not overawe
you, but he did not In the least interest you. He
was perfect machine. whose whole function was
4ok.l ox.I hon
gestion of a mans life or interests. do not re
member seeing one exhibit any emotion except
once; In that case he was dissatisfied with his fee,
and demonstrated in humble, but deeply injured
manner. Gratitude for fee II Was not their nabit
to express, except 10 the decorous, mechanical
manner in which they did everything else. Your
German waiter greets you with q bow and smile,
If an acquaintance; Is attentive and handy. and
bids you goodbye when you 20 out. he is per-
fectly respectful, but not AFFECT. When unem.
ployed be chats quietly With bis fellows listens to
the music when there IL any: and Is awake to other
things as wells as his business, II you give him
nothing, very good be Is just as civil for ever so
small Q fee he 10 grateful.
There is like difference between the shopkeep-
ers OF the two countries. In England there were
gers,sy something very like serslliiy IN their
by more than one hail.. Generally they tried 70
make conversation OF very Indifferent sort. Their
whole manner said, t" How can recommend NY
self to you. How can induce you to honor me
there pleasant style Of manners both 10 sellers
and purchasers. As customer enters the store
he takes of his hat. flood day. IL interchsnRed
when one comes in, "adleu." ss he goes out.
have noticed how eventbe common and poor peo-
pie rarely fail In these salutations The seller eets
the buyer an equal and IL civil bat not obse-
quious. ought 70 say that he generally names a
higher price for an article than be expects to get.
Such is the custom Of the country, and Disagree
able one il 10. The Ihceiyer Of money, says
Thank you" Invariably. / have heard II from
apostofhce clerk for pssment on q letter I The
universally OF these expressions is not much in
itself. but the manner OF 10 generally has some
thing OF cordially. suggestion OF real kindness
Of feeling. Ii IL pleasant TO receive such greet
ings from every servant IN the house when you
meet them. The won I'd among these house SER
wants are generally Of good class; 1t is custom
airy for parents Of smsli means, but respect-
ability, living in the country, to send their
daughters to be serya9ts In the city for some
years. In this way ~ in Q good plsce. girl
learns the different brfnches of housekeeping.
perhaps the higher onts of nice cooking, etc.,
and after q time she rsrries q tradesman very
likely, or returns 70 her country bone.