American citizen., 1875-03-20
French Etiquette.

THE Home Journal says: a number
of years ago two Sco'cn ladies paid d
visit to Paris, accompanied by theiI
| brother, whose business led him to 20
thither every year. He was slightly ac-
| quainted with several Partisan families
but, not speaking French fluently, he had
little domestic intercourse with them.
The two Misses D., on their arrival,
expected that their brothers acquaint-
ances would call on them, as they had
been made aware of their arrival, but
not Il soul came near them. They did
not know that in France the etiquette is
for the stranger to call first, precisely
the reverse of what is the practice in En-
gland; besides which, they were ignorant
of the fact that the French generally do
not cultivate the acquaintance of foreign
ers, rarely giving them invitations to
their houses. Receiving no attentions,
the ladies found Paris to be rather dull,
their only amusement being sight htseeing.
One day, walking with their brother in
the Champs Elysees, he introduced them
to a lady whom they Glanced to meet.
Taking pity on their isolation, she in
vited them to dine with her on the fol-
lowing day. Here was something good
at last. The invitation was accepted.
Next day they took care to be good time
equipped in their best, in low, pink silk
dresses, short sleeves and white sat n
shoes, to the great astonishment of their
hostess, who took it for granted that
they were going to a bali afterward.
They were equally surprised to find
her in the same high, dark silk
which she had worn when out walk
ing. Dinner was served, and commenced
with the national pot an Jeu (soup) and
bouiii Uhe beef from which the soup is
made), and which the lady carved in
oh laSs Inn, in eli in
England; stewed beef with maccaroni,
col an rent, Jricandeau, and roast turkey
followed in quick succession. The lady
carved small pieces of each dish and put
them on Il plate with IA fork, which was
handed round to each guest to help them
selves. The Scotch ladies, accustomed
to eat potatoes with every dish, were
puzzled to find none forthcoming. After
the meat came a dish of green peas and
the salad. The French use the same
knife and fork for every dish, and keep
them when their plates are changed; and
the Misses D. were Mortified to see
that the servant who took their plates
coolly put their knife and fork on to the
cloth beside them, and did not give Them
clean one until the dessert was served.
They were greatly perpleXed by the va
riety of dishes served and the absence
of potatoes, and the arrival OF green peas
Al II
dinner was good, but the oddity of the
arrangement was incomprehensible Ii
was violation of all ordinary concep-
tons. After dinner the gentlemen led
the ladies back to the drawing-room anu
cafe Hoir was served. Strong black coffee,
without milk or cream, was not very pal
arable to the Scotch ladies, though
they found the Iqueurs which succeeded
it creme de mOhd and creme de CaajU-cX-
cellent. After sitting and chatting for
about half an hour, the hostess aston
ished the Misses D. by announcing
her intention of going for ii walk, it be
ing summer and the days long; and,
said she, looking hesitaIingly at the even
ing costumes of her visitors, as | pre-
sumo you are going to Il soiree, | am
sorry | shall not have the pleasure OF
your company The Scotch ladies were
too shy and too little accustomed to con
verse in French to ask for explanations,
but they thought the lady very rude to
turn them out of her house in this cool
way; they had not ordered their carriage
until half-past len, so they begged her to
allow her servant to order one Tor them,
and returned to their hotel, marvcling at
the unnannery impudcncc of French la
dies. They dill not know that II casual
invitation to dinner did nos necessarily
imply spending the evening, and no
French lady would wear il low dress for
even a very ccreinonlOuS dinner party.
+ ull dress is only de rigueHr for a bail or
for large Soiree, and then only for
young girls. Ladies dress more accord
ing to their age in France than in En-
gland; and you never see old or cvci;
ladies dress like young ones
or, if you do, you may be sure they are