Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-10-25
FRENCH MANNERS.
Gentlemen of Standing Who In.
suit American Girls.

Paris correspondence of the Ohieaso POstl
The question Of American ladies
yenturing into the Paris streets alone
is one that has often been discussed.
And while admitting that Partisan
customs prohibit such actions, on the
part of a young girl especially, it does
seem rather strange that a modest
young damsel, quietly and simply at
tired, should not be able to walk a
few blocks alone in the most central,
f~requented, and fashionable part OF
Paris without being followed, ac-
costed, or otherwise annoyed. Yet
such is undoubtedly the case at pres
cut, and matters in this respect have
been rather worse than better within
the last few years, Even the presence
Of a servant or matrOn Is not always
sufficient to prevent a young and
pretty girl from being the object OF
outspoken compliments that are far
more annoying than ~hattering when
uttered by a total stranger with leer-
ing eyes and a forward demeanor.
Nor are the ~ageressions in all cases
confined to words merely. In one in,
stance a young American lady, who
Rad gone in a closed carriage to a
chemists to get some medicine for a
sick mother, found, on quitting the
shop, that a well-dressed man had
taken his seat in her carriage and was
waiting for her to get in beside him.
She recoiled in indignation, and Or
dered him to get out. He replied by
4 Sinking invitation to enter the car
rage, refusing to quit his place. For
tunately she was well known in the
shop she had just quilted, aud the
proprietors came to her rescue, send
irg the intruder to the right-abOut
" tn a few sharp words and a threat
of the police. In another instance
more fragrant still, a young American
girl left the hotel at which she was
staying, on the Rue Neuye St. Angus
lid, and went, accompanied by her
maid 20 the Rue de Ia Talk. to take a
carriage. 1t must be pregiised hat
the young lady in question is a.
~siOgularly modest, refined looking sifl
remarkably beautiful, it is true, but
ia a pale and tranquil style,of beauty;
she was, moreover, in deep mourning
for a near relative, SO that nothing in
her dress, any more than in her de-
meanor or aspect, was calculated TO
attract attention, Nor was the hour
late, being about three o'clock in the
afternoon. She was standing on the
sidewalk, and signalled a cab when
a well-dressed man came up and ac-
costed her. She paid no attention to.
Linn, but entered the vehicle, and on
closing the door and turning round,
she saw to her horror that her ageres
sor had gone round 70 the other side
OF the cab and was 10 the act of open
Ing the door. She called to the coach
man to drive of at once, holding the
door to with all her strength. The
cab drove off, aud the impeFtinent
wretch, who was annoying her then
turned to the maid. and Selling her BY
the arr demanded from her the name
aud address OF her mistress. The poor
Ietrl, sorely affrighted, broke from him
aud rushed back to the hotel, which.
fortunately, was not Jar of.
Then | know a case in which w
young sisters who had gone out to-
eether for a short walk, were followed
ups airs to the very door Of their
apartment by an elderly man, with the
dress and bearing Of a gentleman, aud
wearing the red ribbon of the Legion
Of Honor in his bottom hole. He de-
sied from mis- pursuit, however, on
the door Of the apartment opening
and the coming forth Of an American
general, who had been calling on the
father Of the young ladies. They
saw him afterwards at one of the OH
cial balls Of tne season, a proof that
be was a person of standing and re
spectability. Then | know Of an IN
stance of young American girl, who
bad gone Just two blocks along tht
Rue de pain, WIS accosted no less
than seven times before she reached
her destination. That she was
uretty, stylish and well, though quiet
ly dressed. is not TO be denied, but in
complexion, toilet and manners she
was thoroughly and altogether lady
like.
) But there is no need to multiply in
stances. They occur continually il
the middle Of Che day, and in the
most fashionable quarters Of Paris
and not merely to girls Of questionabl,
dress, made up compilations and for
ward demeanor, but 10 reserved, mod
, est young ladies who 20 on their wa,
/ without any thought but that Of com
. pletng their business as speedily a
possible. Ifthis be civilization, bet
r Ter the toughest village in the back
3 woods Of the United States, han al
I. the polish and elegance Of the flares
b city in all Europe, 50 far as true cour
toer- =. ..ro1wurA