The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-02-15
FRENCH POLITENESS.
1t is Simply q Very Artistic and Dec
0rative FrescO.

1t Is Slmp1y q very ArC1StlC ana Dec
orative Fresco.
[Lucy II. Hooper in Chicago Tribune.
But, to return to the question OF
French politeness, it is very charming;
it is q fresco merely, but the fresco is
very artistic and decorative. The grace
and courtesy of manner that surround
one on every side in Paris add a very
positive charm to existence. French
politeness is largely made up of little
things. an attention to the minnti@ OF
social intercourse, a strict observance OF
certain rules of etiquette, and charm
of manner that is perfectly Irresistible.
Add to this vast amount of tact, which,
prevents any rubbing the wrong wan
of undue susceptibilities, and the casual
observer will very readily comprehend
how delightful a race this is to live
amongst. A Frenchman's devotion to
the rules of etiquette is really extraor-
binary; he would consider himself a
brute did he appear without gloves In a
lady's presence, or 60 to make an eve
ming visit in any costume save full eve
ing an unknown lady on the staircase or
in the hall of house at which he
CHANGED to be visiting. You may be
perfectly sure that on any occasion or in
anv circumstance he will do the correct
thing. -,
frescO-like thinness is in the practical
side of the quality. The fine chivai-
rous devotion of American manhood to-
ward the weaker sex is not only wholly
lacking in Paris, but is replaced by an
aggressive and selfish rudeness IN manyl
instances that is well-nigh unbearabie to
an American woman. In proportlon as
the Frenchman's house manners are
charming, his street manners are de-
plorable. The most elegan: dandy that
ever paced the boulevards will not hesi-
tate to thrust woman out OF his way en-
the narrow sidewalk.
If he push her into the gutter, SO
| much the better for him and so much
the worse for her. He will elbow and
shove without mercy party CT ladies at
| the entrance OF a crowded theatre, using
his superior strength, not to protect
them, but to throw them out of the
way. If lady drops her parasol or her
fare no man will stop to pick it up for
her. That is her business, and if the
| male passers by refrain from treadlng on
| the object it is as much as can be eXpec-
| ted of them. / once saw an American
| LADY, hale a cab on the Rue de Paix. As
t drew up TO the sidewalk two we'll
dressed Frenchmen thrust themselves
| in front of her, got into the cab, and
drove off in triumph. During the severe
| winter of some seasons ago l repeatedly
saw ladies slip and fall on the icy pave
| ments on the crowded boulevards, and
never once did see man amongst tie
| paSsers-by stop and extend hand to
| help the sufferer to rise.
Another subtle form ofrudeness among
our French friends is the failure to an
| swer letters. do not mean mere notes
or letters of inquiry on subjects inter-
estlng to the writer merely, but actual
| business communications of q certain
amount of importance. Another very
annoying lack of courtesy is to be found
| in their want Of plnctuality, even IN
matters of business. And have yet to
| come in contact in American society
with stratum low enough to furnish
personages wno would act after the fol-
| lowing fashion: An American lady
| once got up in Paris soi1ee musicale OF
some Importance private affair, al"
mission being gained by invitat' on only.
She hired for the occasion small con
cert hall belonging to one OF the leading
teachers of singing in Paris. This hail
had two proscenium boxes, which the,
hostess wished to reserve for some par
tcllar friend of her own. There being
no lock On the boxes, she affixed pla-
card to each door, bearing the name OF
the person for whom the box was i'll
tended; and as an additional measure Of
| percaution, she tied Il ribbon across each
door. A party of French titled person
ages, for whom invitations had been re-
quested by an intimate friend-individ
uals'of undoubted birth, and breeding
and social standine-arrived early at the
hall, broke the ribbon and tore Off the
plac 1rd from one box. When the hostess
went to demonstrate one of the parry, %
viscount of lofty name and long
pedigree, shut the box-door in her face.
| add no comment On this incident,
which know to be true, having learned
the facts from the lady who gave the
entertainment.