The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-11-28
Our Olio.
American and Foreign Politensss.

"Travel is the FOOLS paradise, says EN-
erson. Gravel is the tower Of observation
from which alone one can truly see his own
home" says another If one is fortunate
in having country with any good quail
ties, thrice fortunate is he if he can travel
and discover the fact. If he has neigh
bors that are nuisances, he may become a
happy man If he can go abroad and find
people tenfOld more annoying. American
tourists often blush for their country and
country folk, sometimes for good cause and
sometimes through mere snobbery. But
after denouneing, ad hJitlm, American
fastness, loudness, and vulgarity-condi-
tions of rudimentary culture-they come
generally to piece de resistance of good
which suffices to carry their suffrages for
their own people above all others. Of this
good, politeness is only one form of mani
festation, but it is one which is far from
the least in significance. That branch of
it which relates to the treatment Of women
is especially a vital index of character as
it is of civilization. A comparison in
this point, therefore, involves something
more.than difference In externals and In
the conventional etiquette Of the salons.
In confirmation Of what the Home Journal
has from time 10 time said on this point,
We cite the words Of an American abroad,
writing in the Paris Register. And arst,
Of the French: -
There is scarcely any trait about the
French people which so charms the newly
arrived foreigner as does their politeness.
1t is SO ready, SO graceful, SO winning, and
SO universal, that it takes all hearts BY
storm. Nor are Its demonstrations con
fined to the upper or the middle classes;
they pervade every social stratum, from
the highest to the lowest, Your washer
woman, with basketful Of soiled linen on
her arm, will turn around at the door to
take leave Of you with "Ladies and gen.
tlemen, l salute YOU" The waiter at
cafe, who wishes to rectify mistake in
your order will respectfully observe to
Monsieur" The chance passer who meets
you on the staircase or in the hall will
raise his hat to you if of the male sex, win
graciously reply to your salutation IL of
the other. Pardon" aud "Merci'' are in
the mouths of everybody you meet. And
yet-and yet-are the French the politest
nation in the world 2 Is there not gran.
der and a nobler courtesy than this grace
of manner and formal charm of speech ?
We think that any American woman
abroad would be inclined to answer in the
affirmative.
The French arc undoubtedly tho politest
nation Of Europe. No other people pos
sess so perfectly the pretty habits of speech
and manner, which seem to unsophisticat-
ed foreigners so charming aad so pleasant.
The English, as rule, are rude. They
pay too little heed to the small refinements
of life to be agreeable to the casual stranger
within their gates. Wrapped in sort of
sturdy selfshness, which sets ut naught
the good opinion of others, they go on
their road rushing against people, or walk
ing over them when they happen to be in
the way, and rather surprised than other
wise when charged with discourtesy. The
same, though In a less degree, is true of
the Germans. But to the people Of no
European country is the plea of woman
hood and weakness plea for protection
or politenoss. That proudor distinction
has been reserved for the men of America
to achieve. In the United States the
mere fact of a woman being a woman, and
consequently weak and needing protection,
calls out on her behalf a grand and chiv-
alrous courtesy, which wraps her round,
as with wall Of adamant. The woman
who travels without an escort In America
has merely exchanged one protector for |
thousand. Ii she promenades the thor
oughfarcs of one Of our great cities, public
opinion keeps wat eh and guard that she
be not molested by word or glance. If
she enters public conveyance, crosses a |
thFonged street, or goes anywhere on busi-
ness, assistance, respectful and prompt as
the service rendered Of old to queen,
awaits her every movement She as a
queen--a queen by virtue Of her woman
hood and her weakness, queen with a
nation for body-guard. She comes
abroad, and 10 she is dethronej soyer-
eign. She is elbowed of Of the sidewalks
by sturdy men. The best places on car
riage, or car, or omnibus arc reft from her
BY the stronger sex, and BY the simple ex-
crcise Of superior strength. If she under
takes to go out unescortcd in broad day
light, and IN the most fashionable and |
ffequented portions Of any European city
she exposes herself to insulting words aud |
glauces. She is weak and defencelcss,
therefore fair game 70 worry and to purs
sue. Ifshe wishes to cross street where
myriads Of vehicles 80 whirling past she |