The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-11
THE TRAvELIrY0 PRINCES DIARY
Society In Newport-A New Theory OF A neri-
cnn NuIgniftY.

cry the other day; not n practical mechanical
or chemical one. but ono OF social definition.
We all talk great deal in Europe about Amcri-
can vuprlrity. and no doubt there IL plenty of II
in this country: more. perhaps. than in the es-
scntialy vulgar middle and lower classes Of
Great Britain. But IL there not some particular
reason for this apparent preponder0nce of the
vulgar elements in the AnRlo-saxon race 2
think there is. and believe II TO consist in
the absence OF national costume. Everybody
here wears q stoveppe hat and broadcoth. and
you can seldom distinguish. at tho first glance
what IL called gentleman from q peasant. The
same thing is true OF the women. Every one OF
them calls herself a lady, and dresses like one
the moment her means allow It. Tho other day
negro waiter. speaking TO the old General
about the arrangement Of his ROOM mentioned
the scrubbing lady"
With us it Ia quite different In every country
in Europe the peasantry, tho mass OF the peo-
pie. have their national costume. Gaudy or
plain, II Is tho costume OF the lower. common
classes; and IL protects and excuses the bcha-
vior of the person who wears H. When we see
peasant cleaning his noee with his finger or
scratching his head II does not surprise us.
Tho thing seems natural. When q man in u
stovcppe hat and a frock coat docs the same. II
shocks us. Even when the European peasant
tune Of the class he belongs TO. He is ridiculed
by his acknowledges II he allows his children
to do 80. Here. and in England too. the mo-
ment a man has money enough. he begins TO
dress like the upper ten" though he may. by
his birth and education. belong TO the lowest ten.
This is. l think. the whole explanation Of
American vulgarity The mass OF the people
here are neither more nor less vulgar than any
where else. and the refined classes are Just as
refined as abroad. Only in Europe you dis
tnguish at the first glance the peasant from
the man Of the city; while here you have 10 find
them out
II is Newport that suggested TO mo this expla-
nation. In large cities people are too much
mixed: while here the modest attire OF tho abo-
rhymes contrasts strongly enough with the
extravagant luxury Of the summer resi-
dents TO make up for tho want OF ma
tonal costume. The striking difference in
dress. classes at once the people you meet here.
and the original Newporters no longer appear
vulgar to you. They are simply quiet. provin-
cial folk.
OF course there will always remain distinc-
ton In the social manners Of the Old and New
World but that will be only matter of details.
In European salon. for instance. no gentleman
will allow himself to sit with crossed legs by the
side Of lady. while here see swells of the first
water putting one leg right on the knee OF tho
other. and caressng with both hands their silk
socks and patent leather shoes while conversing
with ladies. This is a little too much sans gene A.;
but we are in free country.
AZ everywhere else. social manners are built
up by ladies. and American ladies of really good
society arc admirably polished They cannot
fail. in the course Of time, 10 polish the men too.
and the day is not far distant when New York,
Boston, and Newport society manners will be as
refined as those Of the Faubourg ST. GERMAN
and the royal part Of the West End.
Upon the whole. | think that Europe will have
Ia submit some day. To certain social Influences
OF America We are decidedly behind the
Americans in the way Of bringing up our young
girls. We seclude them, while the Yankees give
them all the freedom they want. This unre-
stricted enjoyment II liberty hy the girls above
sixteen udds an Undesirable charm to So
c!al intercourse in this country. Mon cannot
help hilvin; their thoughts and feelings purified
in this almost hcro OF youth and innocence. II
there rs eyer any harm done. the cases are few.
In Europe, men have 10 marry childish girls.
wholly Ignorant Of life. In America. a man takes
for Il wife girl whom he knows thoroughly.
and WHO has seen enough Of life to become at
once the really better half"
But. on the other hand the freedom Of tho
married women is too restricted here. though
not nearly so much SO rs in England. From
the time OF her marriage to the time when she
is the mother 81 grown-up children. the married
woman Is almost lost 10 society here. This il
wrong. and the alsurllty OF 1t evidently begins
10 boz felt Tor from what hear. the young mar
ricd women conquer more and moro freedom
every day.
Talking the other night on this subject with n
charming young lady who. though already
about twenty hNo years. has not yet made up
her mind whom Of her many admirers she WAL
marry. she made witty rcmaIk:
Il think" said she that both Europe and
America have their wrongs ia THIS RESPECT
Here they rc-trietthe liberty Of married women.
there they restrict tine liberty Of gals. have
accordingly made up my mind 10 live upon a
combination plan. | shall remain here until
my marriages | shall exchange America Tor
Europe the moment | am married."
And suppose your future husband did not
like such an arrangomcntr
He will have to. otherwise he won't be my
husband" was the calm. husincss-kc answer.
The beauty and graccfulncss Of American
women have provoked our admiration from tho
first days we spent in this country. But New
port revealed to US quite new charms in them.
To begin WITH we have now more acquant-
unccs and 80 a great deal more into society
That gives MS u better ins ght into tho intellectual
accomplishments Of the ladies. Then the light
summer costumes on the green BACKGROUND Of
thu gardens or on the hue background Of the
sea, reveal their beauty to much better all
vantage than the costumes Of tho Fifth
avenue rarlors Finally Wa see them on
horseback. and that is in itself one Of tho
most delightful sights. A young American wo-
man on horseback is perfect picture. She
rid admirably and her horse is almost in
llt ~ IL