Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-05
VOL. XII.
IT'S USES AND ABUSES.

I
into etiqnettcal law of society. There ere
sample people who possess. naturally
pleasing manners; gifted with an easy
fi'w of language and an agreeable
address, possessing large knowledge of
human nature, with good educa, ion,
will, without studied effort, be "self.
possessed" always at ease in any con PAW
and on any and all occasions On the
contrary. there are those w no have not
these gifts, and the usual advantages have
been few, and the opportunities for
acquiring polished deportlu ent limited
then they may properly make tudy OF
the subject of how to please, and thus
qualify themselves in the IN ore polished
forms of etiquette.
Etiquette, sound and polishe d, is 10
society what grammar is to language.
AS grammar teaches to sp ,ak and write
correctly, so etiquette teaches the, manner
|of proper behavior. He nee how all
important tho fact that he teachers in
etiquettical lore should be people of the
best standing. of good judg ment, of pure
lives and of the highest edu cation. Yet it
i of the III most importance, however, that
to be graceful and easy no labored effort
should appear to behave by rule, and that
the forms of etiquette be not carried too
far. Tne laws of common sense should
be at the base of all etq le,Iical law and
good taslo mingle in every conception
But it Is true that there are so many
classes of etiquette pertairin g to every
class of society and branch of business
that the purity and noble hess of the
general spirit may become somewhat
questionable. There is an etiquette
relating to Il body of stone cutters; one to
machine shops of various kinds. All cor.
porations have their laws for the regulation
of their business and intercourse with one
anot her.
There is what is called "table etiquette"
one pertaining to dress, one for polite
salutation in good company among its
members, also for the proper time for
making calls and of receiving company in
the higher circles, ETC., etc.
Then there is the national etiquette,
differing frcm other nations even in the
same relative circles. The rules of
etiquette which an educated Frenchman
would feel bound to observe at tea party
would differ very materially from the one
that Chinaman would be governed. The
American etiquette differs from the
English and the English from many others.
But it is admitted that the Americans, as
people, excel in their being ingenious and
initiative, quick in observation, and like
other nations, often inclined to extremes,
and even willing 10 be made very uncom-
Portable if it is only 'popular." Many odd
and ridiculous styles of dress, though
uncomfortable and distasteful, ARE tolerated
and worn because sin style" That Old
tyrant, "fashioa.' is king, and the most
popular leader in community. He mar.
shals his hosts by the millions, including
" III DOhOos uIIt Win ~ du-
nical hani. He hears to no reason or
common sense, but plays with his subjects
a. il child with its toys. He sounds his
trumpet and, 10, every one is on the "qui
We What saith the mighty oracle? In
still small voice, (tlthough the whole
a mosphere tremhles with its power,) the
frs sound is ctught up and bourn upon
the breeze, and every ear is tickeled with
the sensation. Thus saith The mighty one:
Hear ye, nv people, for years my subj cts
and am your king" And Immediately
they all bow and Cry amen; it is even so,
O. king. And the oracle continues: Pre-
pare to eXrcu q my mandates at once"
and they prepare. Silence reigns for a
while; the whole scene is enveloped in
smoke and the distant mutterings are
becoming more audible, saying: "Oh, my
loyal people, be not over anxious, there
are changes enough for you all. Dress
skirts are growing little longer, hoops |
expanding, bonnets are coming up into
more proper shape, colors are Frightening
and the general changes are for the better.
Now that Topped cared bonnet of Miss
Popular must have another wrinkle taken |
out on the other side and smooth up the |
crown, giving it u little more vigorous
appearance; the pink bow must be |
exchanged for a brighter color and remov-
ed back just little, also the white feather
must have another tinted one beside it,
mellowing down the immediate atmos
phere, with the tip end dropped so as TO
shade the ear a little more. Then the
light dress of Miss smart must have two
or more folds in front to balance that nice
hustle behind, as the hoops are expanding
Just rib or two this season. Miss Friz-
zatte must drop that beautiful "brown
bang' q little lower, just to cover the
brow completely; no matter if it does
interfere with the sight. It's awfully |
"pooty;" besides it is stylish; it is a
"sighan" that one has brains-over the
left. There's "Bllie BeDube" whose
pants were SO made last season that he
could sit down easily only by inclinng
against lamp post. He liked them very
much because they were in style; and he
thinks now that if they were let out just a
"leete" in the seat he could eat some
easier. But those beautifully killing
shoes, with such exquisite foreign tooth.
picked toes, must te tolerated, though |
they do mash those corns little; never
m nd, he can raise more corns; they are
cheap. Most any of his friends will divide
with him. Then there is "O'Sammie
McSlick," with his flaming brass fob and
cano. wearing that short sack coat, can
have a longer one next season if he wishes.
Yes and see, there is lot more of short
ooot and tiuht nanied fellows cO,nino