New-York tribune., 1882-12-31
IN ENGLISH URITER ON AMERICAN ETI-
CTETTE
Tr0M "a N N. LyININ

From Az me ltGr EDlU'f.
Many OF the best American women who have traS-
ellei much IN Europe avoid fashionable society in
their own county, because OF the uncertainty oI ITS
code OF manners. An American Genlleman called
on "A DISTINGUISHED French general IN Paris. more
than twice Ills age. To his amalement the call was
returned the same day. In his own country no
notice at all would most probably have been taken
of Il similar visit.
There seems strange contrarioty ia the Washing
ton and New Ork rules of etl luette. In the liu-
pire city II Is the lady who bows first. not % IN
WASHINGTON or in the exclusive circles OF Virginia,
nor among the members CT the oldest families. and
men who feel secure OF their position III sOclety-so
nj least says an authority on American manners.
Among these the French custom obtains which or
dalus the bow to he given at tho instant OF re-
cogullOn without hesitation. There Is also, be
tween these several sections of American society
vet unsettled controversy as to which the prOpcr
arm to give 4 lady. NeW-l ork stands alone III de-
crreing the right rs the most respectful. The lett
arm size SAYS il too tender ; but New ork Is not
regarded rs the ultimate an hOrIty Oh matters oI
etiquette.
Another knptty point among the rival communl-
ties is the order to be observed in cscOrtlng LADY
downstairs. supposing the stairs to be too narrow
for two to go abreasr. Ncw-IOrk says 1t Is matter
Of etiquette that everyone ueSccnds man'Oi-"ar
before the commander; but II gentleman goes
first may lie better, ~ the cOnslderate provision,
the lady may have large feot or thick ankles, or
" some Otuer reason y iOI wishing to protect heI
lower extrcmtles from observation. Washington
DEGREES that the lady takes precedence The gentle
man following close behind to guard her nom ms
In New-York it is not the thing" iOr a lady to
say thank YOU for small cOurtesos, such AS pass
ing change in an omnibus restoring fallen nm
brelas etc.; only smile ~ allowable. There has
been difference O opinion too, on the use OF cap
Ital letters Tor T. T. E.. on visiting cards. and H. :.
V T. on cards of invitation. Since zthe time Ot the
Romans largo letters have been used for aDbrevla-
tiOus. but America how uses small letters, an
innovation dIstastefuI to European eyes. There,
too it was rigid etiquette-as indeed, 1t was until
mite late years in this country alsOtO send invita-
tlons and answers by hand; now, II at any dis
tance, the medium OF the post Is permissible. In
England the formula or mtrOductIOns is severely
simple: " Mr.. BrOwn-Mrs. smith, thai is all. Mr..
Brown may he Chancellor OF the EXcheuer, and
Mrs smith the wife OF the Archbishop OF ork. but
these facts are not named. In America. etiquette
requires dIgnites and official status to be partlCu-
larlIcd. rs the Rev. Mr.. or Dr. Blank or tue Hon
Governor Dash" adding the name of the state he
governs, 1T u Member OF Congress, the TACT must
be added If an author OF repute the names oil lis
principal works must be stated.
II is customary in America for lady 10 be ac-
compaued to II ball by a gentleman az an escort.
His duty to that she is provided with partners
ho carries, indeed supplies. her bouquet, and at
tends her on her return home. A young English
nohleman on his first visit to Washington called on
a prominent member of society, aud rendered letter
of introduction. The lady received him frankly,
and introduced 70 him her three daughters. ball
coming of the same evening, she offered 10 procure
him an invitation. On his accepting she desired
hin to choose one of her daughters rs IL companion
| Tor the entertainment He did 30. IL was then
arranged that lie should call for tho young lady IN
q carriage of his own providing ana bring the usua
| bouquet, which ho dId at the CONCLUSION oi the
! ball he accompanied his charge home. Tho roSt ol