The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-10-13
Nhc Etiquette Of Intnauctions.

fwo ladleS to each Other, both Ofgwhom
are residents of the same city, is one on
which there may be two opinions
There are often grave reasons why 9
leader of society may not wish to know
a pushing and vulgar and pretentious
interloper-and there are ALWAYS these
two classes in every city. The stern
interpreters of the laws of fashion have
therefore decided that one lady shall
not introduce two other ladies who hap
pen to meet in her parloi IT the parties
are both 90 at home' in the same town.
This law, CT course, should prevail
to some small extent, as at a FIVE
o'clock tea or at a large reception; there
are many reasons why hostess can
not be introducing any one except her
daughter. sister. or her guest for whom
thepaftyi given. There are many
exclusives people who, because they
know Mrs. Brown, hesitate to know
Mrs. Smith; and there are excellent
women who if they go to Mrs. Browns
and are intrDdnced to Mrs. Smith,
they will never go to Mrs. Brown
again.
Ihass ladies' forget, however, the
Continehtaf fashion of speaking while
in Mrs. Browns parlor to Mrs. Smith
even, and OF dropping her Immediately
after If they wish TO. in Europe the
roof-tree is .cehsideHed as an inroducer
and every one while under it is in duty
bound to host and hostess to make
himseaNs agreeable as he can while he
is giaSsss s1A9sasdinner party in stiff
and formal London gentleman steps
up and begins to talk to lady who is
an utter stranger, and often takes her
down to dinner, without an introduce
ton. The ladies chat after dinner with
the freedom of old friends. The next
day the same people may meet if
tSere has sheen no. Introductory as
sFshgefs9in the Park, and pass with
out bow.
This is as it should be. But the very
great awkwardness occurs in the United
States of one lady speaking to another
and yet receiving no answer. A con-
spicious sample Of this srudeness hap
Pened Wh&ki IA privAte parlor In
New YorE whefe the Company were
seated to listen to professional concert.
Fray can you tell me who the pianist
lsp' said a leader.of society to- young
lady near her. The young lady looked
embarrassed and did not reply. Having
seen deaf-mute in the room whom she
knew, the lady Immediately concluded
that this young lady also belonged to
that class of persons, and was very
much surprised when, later, a lady
brought up the young lady and intro
duced her.
:. / could not speak to you, because l
had not been presented" said the Young
lady but the pianist is Mr.. BE-
;, :" 1, however could speak to you, al
though we had never been introduced"
said the older lady, i" and from your
Nd answering i supposed you were
deaf and dumb.n This rebuke was
very much deserved, for if the YOUNG
lady did not know better it was time
she was taught ~
Society depends upon its social sooth-
savers for all that is good in it. A disa-
grcpabH woman can always find prece-I
dence Tor being formal and chilling
woman can always find
plenty OF reasons for a benedictionratb |
er than curse to her acquaintance.
Etiquette can be widely interpreted. |
AS forsome forms of introduction. the
simplest ard the best. Agentleman is
always brought to and presented to a
iady and younger persona is presented |
20 aaselder, . Mrs. Brown allow me
10 introduce Mr.. Jones,n is as good a
form as any; the simple mention of the
names is considered all that is neces-
sary. A lady should always introduce
her husband as q Mr.. Brown or
whatever It may hey, not as q INV 6us-
band" although she is permitted to
say ''my SON. or "my daughter
Il her husband has title, she is ex-
,ected to give him the advantage of the
Captain" or Commodore, which our
simple form of titular propriety allows.
70 address the President we say, aMr.
resident" and his wife should always
ay !" Allow me. to introduce the
resident to you.n The modesty of
drs. Grant, however, never allowed
ler to call her. many-titlad husband
but q Mr.. Grant, which had
her case certain sweetness above
u etiquette. ,''e @
!. Introductions in the homely German
ather-land are universal, everybody
=. S-~ttAAShe3 eAAO AdiuC VI tuG law TO |
1hom he talking to everybody else; and
mong our German citizens we often see
gentleman conveying lady through a
roWded assemblage. introducing her
everybody. It is simple, cordial,
nd pleasant thing enough, and we can
OF see how bow and smile can in
ire anyody. patticularlys Is the ao-
uainta9ee can readil stop there.
But nj pSfsen pf much heart and of
luch mind need feel afraid to talk and
lake herself agreeable, whether intro
u0k or not, at q friends house.
ve4W She meets With the rebuff of a
q pd n3b nelg hbor, she need not
60 broken she is right, and the
sants enc = wrong.
In seeking introductions for ourselves I
lille we need not be shy of making a | i
rst visit or asking for an introduction.
there be no blot on our 'scutcheon. !
should not advocate Z push. y There /
81 Instincts in the humblest under-
anding which viii tell ms where to
.aw the line. LIN person is socially
ore prominent than ourselves. more
stinguished in any way, we should {
It be violently anxious to take the +
ct step. We should wait until some s
.hoxa 900 a, Il 4 =