Middletown transcript., 1870-05-21
HOW TO BEHAVE ABROAD.
BY THE REV. MR.. osGooD.

Americans are not particularly in dan.
ger Of being abashed by the titles and in
sigma of european aristocracy. 1t is,
however, matter of some importance
how we are to treat persons of such posi-
ton when we are in their presence. If
we do not like them it is very easy to keep
out of their way, and we are at perfect
liberty to let them alone but if we seek
their society, as Americans are apt to do.
we must expect to conform to their social
usages, SO far as not to insult or seem to
insult them. An intelligent American
sees at once that there is no class of per-
sons in Eurupe ON the whole superior to
our own best class, and he is soon cured
of all uncomfortable man-vorship or caste
worship We see, moreover, that men Of
adulation, and are content with the most
modest and simple recognition of their po-
sition. No American, of course, will
thrust himself into such society by his i'm
portunity, and no matter how good our
letter Of introduction may be, it is always
well to give the other party a chance to
let us alone, and to allow him to notice
us or not. l was very shy of the gran
dees of Europe, especially of England, anil
expected to be vigorously let alone by
them. 1t was at first quite embarrassing
to sit at table with men nominally of a
wholly new cluss to me, and something Of
puzzle to know how to address them.
But it soon became clear that they were
only educated, well-bred gentlemen, like
our best people at home, and that they
had little to do with their titles in friend
ly society. They seemed to speak to each
other in the simplest way, and say "you"
generally, instead of "your grace" ''my
lord" and the like, and only when pre-
senting distinguished persons to others
the full title is given. think that it is
good breeding in England to address a
distinguished person once by his title, and
afterwards to say "you" or "sir" heard
Tyndall the philosopher, address the
Prince of Wales at public meeting, and;
after calling him "Your Royal Highness''
once or twice, he spoke to him simply as.
"sir," which l thought was slip of the
tongue, until learned otherwise and was
assured that it was proper even to speak
to the Queen as Madame" after ad-
dressing her as Your Majesty" These
are little matters, but they are becoming
more important as the best-bred people in
Europe and America are coming together
and we wish to be mutually agreeable.
l must prefer our American way of cal
ling people by their most characteristic
titles. We call our President simply
President" our senators, "Senator," our
generals and admirals, General or
Admiral" 1t would be pleasant to do
the same, abroad, and say King"
Queen" Duke" Earl" Lord"
"Prince," Archbishop bishop" !"
Cardinal" or "Pope," without any cir
cumlocution, and some persons do so.
like the English author who visited ia
nous duke and called him DUKE" in
stead of ''your Grace" without giving
offence. 1t is evident that Europeans do
not wish to intrude their conventional dig
mites upon reluctant Americans, and that
we are exempted from a great deal of their
tyranny of caste by courtesy that tries to
receive us on our own basis of society in
stead of theirs. Nothing is more offensive
to the upper classes abroad than the syco-
phancy that humbles itself into the dust to
win their favor, and is ready to boast of
the favor in a domineering tone among
plain people below that charmed circle.
There is nothing in European manners
to trouble an Americans self-rcspeet. un-
less at the Papal court. At Venice, the
Prince of Prussia came to our hotel, and
we Americans turned out with others to
receive him; and when we took off our
hats, he, like gentleman, took off his
hat also. When the host and walters were
so much ingrossed with waiting on the ta-
BILE of his Royal Highness as sometimes
to forget that we were as hungry ashe aud
his friends, and probably quite as good
pay, and in the long run better customers.
we sent word that we would not stand
that kind of nonsense, but would have our
dinner or quit, and the sovereign Yankee
was forthwith attended to. AS to the
Pope of Rome and the whole Roman eti-.
quette, l confess to having the old fash
ioned stiff necked, stiff-kneed obduracy. If
he offers prayer. as a minister, to the al
mighty God, it is easy to kneel with him;
or if he administers what the church re-
CARDS as divine sacrament, it is no syco-
phancy to kncel at the altar where he.
ministers; but this homage to the person.
of frail man like ourselves is very re-.
pulsive, and ought not to be exacted. OF
course, if we visit him we must expect to-
do what the rules of his house require, or
we had better stay away. Yet it will be
a great relief to many when this man-wor-
ship is done away, and the Bishop of Rome
can be approached with the simple respect
that is due to all men of his class and pro-
fession,-N. Y Erening Post.