Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-13
An EnSlishman ON American Man.
nerS.
From All The Year .RounA

From AL The Year Round.
Many of the best American women who have
travelled much in Europe avoid fashionable socie-
ty their own country. because of the uncertain
ty of its code of manners. An American gentle
man called on distinguished French general in
Paris, more than twice his age. To his amaze
ment the call was returned the same day. In
his own country no notice at all would most
probably have been taken Of q similar visit
There seems a strange contrariety In the
Washington and New York rules of etiquet In
| the Empire city it is the lady who bows first
not 30 In Washington or In the exclusive circles
of Virginia nor among the members of the
Oldest families, and men who feel secure Of their
positions In sOciety-sO at least says an author
| ity on American manners. Among these the
French custom obtains which ordains the bow
| to be given at the instant Of recognition, with
| out hesitation. There Is also, between these
several sections of American society. vet un-
settled controversy as to which is the proper
| arm to give lady. New York stands alone in
decreeing the right as the most respectful The
left arm, she says, 'is too tender" but New
York is not regarded as the ultimate authority
on matters Of etiquet.
Another knOtty point among the rival COM
munities is the order to be observed in escort
| Ing lady down stairs suppOsing the stairs to
be too narrow for two to go abreast. New York
| says 1t is a matter OF eti9uet that every one
| descends man-Of-war before the commander:
but il gentleman goes first it may be better is
the cOnsiderate provision, as the lady may have
| large feet, or thick ankles, or " some other rea-
| son for wishing to protect her lower extremi-
| ties. Washington DEGREES that the lady takes
| precedence. the gentleman following close be-
hind to guard her from nlisadventure.
| In New York it is not 'the thing" for lady
| to say thank you" for small courtesies, such as
passing change in an omnibus restoring fallen
umbrellas, etc; only asmie is allowable There
| has been difference of opinion. too. on the
use of capital letters for P. p c. on visiting
cards and K. s. v. P. on cards OF invitation.
Since the time Of the Romans large letters have
been used for abbreviatiOns but America now
| uses small letters an innovation distasteful to
European eyes. There. too. 1t was rigid ETH
| quotas, indeed, 1t was until quite late wears
| in this country also-to send invitations and
answers by hand; now, If at any distance,
England the formula of intrOductions is severely
simple Mr.. Brown-Mrs. Smith," that is ali.
| Mr.. Brown may be chancellor of the excheuuer.
and Mrs. Smith the wife of the archbishop of
York. but these facts are not named. In Amer
| lea, etiquet requires dignities and official
status to be particuarlzed, as 1.-The Rev Mr. or
DR.. Blank. or the Hon. Gov. DASH" adding the
name OF the state he governs. If q member of
Congress, the fact must be added; ii an author
of repute, the names Of his principal works must
| be stated.
1t Is customary In America for lady to be
accompanied to ball by a gentleman as an es-
cort. His duty Is to see that she Is provided
with partners and refreshments and to look
after her generally. He carries indeed SUD-
| plies, her bouquet, and attends her on her
return home A young English nObleman
| on his first visit to Washington called on
| prominent member of society, and rendered
| letters OF Introduction. The lady received him
frankly, and introduced to him her three dauoht
ers ball coming offthe same evening. she offered
to procure him an invitation. On his accepting
she desired him to choose one Of her daughters
as companion for the entertainment. He did
| so. 1t was then arranged that he should call
| Tor the young lady in q carriage Of his own pro
vlding. and bring the usual bouquet, which he
| did, AT the conclusion Of the ball he accom-
panied his charge home The rest of the family
nad retired for the night, but the servants were
III waiting, and his fair companion pressed him
10 enter and join her in cup Of coffee.
Not little surprised, the gentleman assented
and spent pleasant half-hOur in the drawing.
room alone with his entertainer, discussing the
oance ne mad enjoyed In her society. Republic
| can Independence of manners, perhaps. but in
nOcent withal. "He was q gentleman" said
the mother afterward, accredited to me by
mutual friends, and I knew that nav daughter
could take care Of herself" This incident was
no outrage on American etiQuet. In America It ia
the custom for the young ladies Of the family to
give the balls and 1t Is not at all necessary that
you should be introduced to their parents.
Courtesy to women Is q notable feature of
American society, yet u writer In the Philade l.
phia Evening Bulletin has uttered the heresv
that mo man who has not travelled has seen
| woman"
What may be termed "knife and fork" etiouet
In refined circles Of American society differs
little from our own at the present time; but not
SO very long ago, instead Of the finger glasses
now In general use, large silver bowl used to
be handed round for general ablutlon. At the
time Thackeray visited America things were a
degree rougher. %! saw, said the satirist. five
Americans at q time with their knives down
their throats said to my daughter: MY dear.
your great-great- grandmother, the finest old
lady ever knew also applied cold steel to her
Victuals, bot wish i've ct . time wouldn't"
|. A new national bank q 20 be organized at