Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-02


most probably have been taken of a SINH
lar visit.
There seems strange contrariety in
the Washington and New YO rules of
etiquette. In the Empir' ri y it is the
lady who bows first, not so in Washington
nr in the exclusive circles If Virgini nor
among the m-inbers Of the oldest families.
and men whu feel secure of Their position
in society-sp at least says an anthnritys',.
Americ an manners. Among These the
French custom obtains which ordai,is tie
how to be given At thu inStan: of rec0gnl-
-tion. without hesitation There is also,
between these several sections Of Ameri
can society, yet unsettled controversy as
tp which Is the proper arm IL give lady.
New YORK stands alone in dpcreeing the
She says. lis too tender" but New York
is not regarded as the ultimate authority
on matters Of etiquette.
Another knotty point among the rival
communities is the order to be- observed
in escorting a lady down stairs. surprising
the stairs to be too narrow for two to go
abreast. New York says it is matter of
etiquette that every one descends man-of
war before the commander but if a gentle
man goes first it may be better, is the con
siderate provision, as the lady may have
large feet, or thick ankles, or ''some other
reason" for wishing to protect her lower
extremities. Washington DEGREES that the
lad. takes precedence. the gentleman fol-
lowing close behind to guard her from mis-
adventure.
10 New York it is not ''the thing" for a
lady to say ''thank you' for small court
estes such as passing change in an omni-
bus, restoring fallen umbrellas, etc., only
a smile is allowable. There has been a
difference of opinion too. on the use of
capital letters for 2. P. C. on visiting
cards and r. S. V. P. on cards of invit
alton, Since the time of the Romans
large. letters have been used for abbrevi-
ations but America now uses SIN all letters.
an innovation disasteful to European eyes.
There, too, it was rigid etiquette-as, in
deed, it was until quite late years in this
country also-to send invitations and
answers by hand ; now, if &C any distance,
the medium of the post is Permissible
In England the formula of introduction
is severely simple: ''Mr. Brown-Mrs.
Smith, that is all. Mr.. Brown may
be chancellor of the exchequer, and Mrs.
Smith the wife of the archbishop of York.
but these facts are not named. In Anne
RIGA, etiquette requires dignities aud Of
fetal status to be particularized, as s'the
Rev. Mr. or Mis-. DR.. Blank, or the Hon.
Gov. D ash" adding the name of the state
he governs. If member of Congress, the
fact must be added, if 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 ar escort. His duty is to see that she
is provided with partners and refresh
ments, and to look after her generally
He carries, indeed supplies. her bouquet,
and attends her on her return home. A
young English nobleman on his first witt
TO Washington called on a prominent
member of society, and rendered letters
of Introduction. The lady received him
frankly, and introduced to him her three
daughters. A ball coming off the same
evening, she offered to procure him an in
yitatlon. On his accepting. she desired
him to choose one Of her daughters as d
companion for the entertainment. He
did 80. 1t was then arranged that he
should call for the young lady in carriage
of his own providing. and bring the usual
bouquet. which lie did. At the conclusion
of the ball he accompanied his charge
home. The rest of the family had retired
for the night. hut the servants were in
waiting, and his fair companion pressed
him to enter and join her in a cup of cof-
fee Not a little surprised, the gentleman
assented, aud spent a pleasant half hour III
the drawing-roOm alone with his eat er-
t2iner. discussing the dance he had enjoy
ed III her snciely. Republican indepen-
dence of manners, perhaps, but innocent
withhal. He was gentleman, said the
mother afterward, accredited to me by
mutual friends, and knew that my
daughter could take care of herself
This incident was no outrage on American
etiquette in America it is The custom for
t. Young ladies of The family to give H.
b Ills, and it is not at all necessary tia +
you should be introduced 10 their parents
Courtesy to women is notable feature
of American society, yet writer in the
Philadelphia Ereming Bulletin has uttered
THE heresy that ''no man who has not
travelled has seen a woman"
| What may be termed knife and FORK
| etiquette III refued Giles OF American So
ciety differs little from our Own at the
! present time but not so very long ago, in
stead Of the finger glasses now in general
/ use, a large silver bowl used to he handed
| round for general ablution. at the time
] Thackeray visited America things were a
degree rougher. 81 saw, said the satirst,
| five Americans at time with their
knives down their threats. / said to my
daughter : My dear. your great-great:
/ gIanomolher, the finest old lady | ever
knew, also applied cold steel to htr ylttles,
but wish ive at time wouldn t. AL
/ The Year Round.
FARM AND FIREsIDE.