The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-26

limited to actresses or to women OF the burgher
class. that all German ladies smoke after
dinner. Our author found that cigarettes were
smoked by the wives and daughters OF Hebrew
bankers in Frankfort. but that the practice is
unheard OF in a frst-rate Vienna drawing room.
We are assured by the author OF this book
that there are no ladies in the world so capable
Of doing many things. and doing them well. as
the Austrian gentlewomen Needlework OF
every kind, even to the making Of lace. is a
part Of every girls education. Young women
with titles and fortunes are sent to famous mil
liners and dressmakers. where they serve n
regular apprenticeship. and remain until per-
fectly able to cut and make any garment. In
the training Of Vienncse demoselle there is
no smattering Of anything whether she learns
to play on tho piano or to sing, or to draw.
she learns II thoroughly. II she has no spe-
cial talent for an art she let's that art en-
tircly alone. The cultivation OF her memory
Is another source of wonder to Americans.
The remarkable power Of Renaissance which
enables Austrian girls to repeat sometimes the
whole OF Paradise Lost" or an entire drama.
comes from practice begun in babyhood; every
day the young girl is expected to learn poem
or page Of prose. She often does this while
making her toilet, and at last. from habit.
poem requires but single reading to be
stored away safely in the memory. AS lin
gusts the Viennese women are famous, and
this accomplishment is Of course. gained in
the same way. An Austrian lady told the
author that at eight years old it mattered not
to her or to her sisters whether she spoke Ger
man. French or English and she could not re-
member that the acquisition of the two latter
languages had cost her any effort.
According to our traveller the Austrian lady
OF station who does not know how to cook does
A Il l,.g. Uin,,
nese ladies' OF another who. having. it seems
neglected this branch Of her education. allowed.
at a great dinner party which she gave. two
dishes of the same color to be served in success
sion a fault for which 1t was agreed she could
hardly be forgiven. The princesses Of the royal
households attend II course of lectures from a
chef. which relate entirely to the order OF serv-
ing. Young ladies do not learn the art
of cooking at cooking clubs or from public
lessons. as in America. and they rarely learn
in their own kitchens. Since on the occasion
Of a dinner party in their own households
young ladies would naturally be In the dining
room. 1t follows that the processes Of cooking
and serving cannot well be watched at home
no matter on how grand a scale things are. 1t
is the custom to go to some great house the
house OF a princess. or even to veryl rich
bankers. where there is a famous clef. When
and. JOrtiori. when he deigns to treat with n
rich banker he stipulates that he is to have
the privilege Of teaching as many fUes
mobiles as he chooses. These young ladies
need not even know the mistress of
the house. and they make their arrange
ments with the cook only. 1t would be- indeed
breach Of etiquette for any member OF the
household to trespass. on the occasion OF
grand banquet. in the culinary department,
which. at such times belongs to the cook and
his young pupils. We're you by chance to de-
scend to a kitchen at such hours. you would no
doubt find the daughters OF the nobility suf-
fused with bushes: for these culinary lessons
always foretell marriage. and are the last and
finishing touches Of a maiden's education. 1t
may happen. very probably. that never after
ward will she be obliged to make an applica-
ton of the knowledge thus gained but it is
nevertheless valuable. and a housewife in vi
ennese society cannot expect to command the
respect Of her servants II she is incompetent to
judge of the manner in which they perform
every duty
1t is only. as we have said. among the Aus
TRAN aristocracy that you find these useful
accomplishments. The daughters of burghers
who have made their money in law. finance or
trade dare not condescend to the learning Of
dressmaking and cooking. which the lady Of
sixteen Quarterngs can do without thought OF
its rejecting on her social position. And so the
young women to whom such knowledge would
be Of most practical benefit are inefficient:
whereas the Princess Stephane, and all the la
dies at the court OF the Hapsburg Kaiser. have
at their fingers ends the power to do anything
eXacted by the widest construction Of house
wifc's duties