Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1883-01-14
AMERICAN MANNERS.
An Englishman on the Customs and Eli
auette Of Americans.
Uncertainty OF the Code ss Reason for
Avoiding society.

n New York, January iE.--An aTtici
in Az The Year Around says many
q the best American woman who hav
{. travelled much In Europe avoid fhsi
ionable society IN their own country
. because u the uncertainty OF its cod
of manners. An American gentlema
, called on distinguished French gen
! eral in Paris, more than twice his az,
To his amazement the call was r,
turned the same day. In his ow
country no notice at all would mos
probably have been taken OF a simiia
visit.
There seems strange contrariety ii
the Washington and New York rule
Of etiquette. In the Empire City Ii i
the lady who bows first; not 30 IL
Washington or in the exclusive circle
cf Virginia, nor among the member
Of the oldest families, and men whs
feel secure of their position In society
so at least SAYS an authority on
/ American manners. Among these the
French custom obtains which ordains
the bow 10 be given at The instant oi
recognition, without hesitation. There
IL also, between these several sections
OF American society, yet unsettled
controversy az rs which II the proper
arm to give lady. New York stands
/ alone in decreeing the right az the
most respectful. The LETT arm, she
1 says. SIS too tender - but New York
IL not regarded as the ultimate author
! Ity on matters Of etiquette.
Another knotty point among the
rival communities IL the order to be
observed In escortiug lady down
stairs, supposing the stairs 10 be too
narrow for two TO 90 abreast. New
| York SAYS Ii is a matter of etiquette
that every one descends n mnn-of-war
before the commander; but If n geH-
tleman goes first 1t may be better, is
the considerable provision, as the Indy
may have large feet, or thick ankles,
or some other reason for wishing to
protect her lower cxtremities. Wash
ington DEGREES that the lady takes pre-
cedence, the gentleman following close
behind to guard her from misadven-
turc.
In New York IL IL not 1.-THE thing
for lady to say thank your for
small courtesies, such as passing
change in an omnibus, restoring fallen
umbrellas, etc; only IA smile Is allow
able. There has been "a difference OF
opinion, too, on the use of capital
letters tor r. +. Y. on visiting cards
ana IL. . v, 4. on carols OF invitation
since the tlme Oh the Romans large
iet.efs nave been USED ior anreviations,
put America now uses small letters, an
innovation distasleiul 10 european
eyes there, 100, IL was rigid etiquett,
AS, indeed, ~ was uhtil quite late
years IN this country also-to send
INVITATIONS ana answers by hand; now
II ~ any distance the medium OF the
posi- ~ perih,ssipie' IN England tnt
formula Oh lntroductiohs IL severely
simple: MI Brown-Mrs. smith,
tH,t " all MI Brown may ne chan
cc'ior on me eAchequcr, ana Mrs
~ IN me wile OF inc nrchbishop o
YORK, but these iacts are not named
IN America, etiquette requires dignitie'
ana onieiai status To DC pnrticularized,
as Tue itev. MI or Dr. Blank, or thu
Hon. Governor Dash" adding TIN
name oil the state he governs. II
member OF congress, the tact must b'
auued, II an author of repute, tn,
names vi his prihclpai WORKS must b,
stated
~ IS customary IN America for
'auy 10 oe accompanied to ball by q
ken.'e',iuii as an escort. Ills duty Il
70 see mat she Is provided with part
ners ma refreshments, and to look
after her generally. He carries, in
need supplies, her bouquet, and attends
ner on her return home. a young
Engiisii nobleman ON his first visit
TO washington called ON prominent
member OF society, and rendered let
,ofs OF introduction. The lady received
nm frankly, and introduced TO him
nef .hree daughters. a ball coming
OH me same evening, she offered to
! procure him an invitation. On his nc.
ccpting she desired him To choose one
OF her daughters rs II companion for
the entertainment. He did SO. II
was Then arranged that he should call
Tor the young lady In u carriage of his
own providing, and bring the usual
bouquet, which he did. AZ the con
ciusioh on the Dali he accompanied his
charge home. The rest OF the family
mad retired for the night, but servants
We're IN waiting, and his fair com
panion pressed him TO enter and join
ner IN n cup of coffee. Not a
litte surprised, the gentleman
assented, and spent a pleasant half
nour IN the draWing-room alone with