Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-28

Remember, how easy It is to depress the world
with gloomy countenaDce. There Is not joyful
cannot be chilled by unk1nd salutation. Despord-
ency comes readily enough TO US all. The greet
Ing OF stranger or q friend can make or mar a
day. II have just met Mr.. Iceland, and his bow
has given me a severe cold in the head" said a
wit Again We meet Mr.. Bountifui, whose bow
us the grace OF perpetual youth. RECOGNITION and
saluration are easily vulgarized and can be bar
oarously MANNED By familiarity. A gentleman
confessed that he had fallen in love with beau
t1ful girl but at the moment OF his tenderest emo
ton he heard her shout In stentorian tones: "How
are you, Charley" to passing youth, and his love
him better had she saluted Charley with q spice
Of maidenly reserve. And we should be careful at
home to remember the morning and evening salu-
tation. The good manners OF household are gen.
Grated as the atmosphere Is regenerated by per-
petuai renewals. Nothing Is so out OF taste, SO
same family to say disagreeable things to each
other. IL Is that familiarity which breeds con-
Tempt Inc telling Of people that they look very
Human nature Is such poor thing at best that 1t
needs all the boistering up which 1T can get from
cordial greeting.
THE NAN TO BOW FIRST.
The American etiquette demands that a lady
should bow first to gentleman before he can pre-
sumo to bow. We differ from this 1t comes from
England where an Introduction for dancing pur-
poses does not constitute an acquaintance, and
the lady has a right to drop the gentleman next
such an introduction does constitute acquaintance
IL IS for this reason that ladies in England
pected 10 DOW nrSt, while the continent 1t is the
gentleman who gives the first sign OF recognition
asst should be here, when the recognition IS not
simultaneous. For example, we will take the case
Oh mother with many sons. She brings an over
freignted memory TO the next meeting, after half
dozen young gentlemen remember that they
have dlned at her house She does not remember
them at all; they all remember her. Should she
bow first TO them? No; they should recall them
selves 10 her by graceful, respectful bow. She
Will be very much obliged to them. All overthe
continent 1t is the man who bows nrst. In Amer
lea we can anord to make our own etiquette. 1t
Is as much the mans place TO bow, with our mode
OF life, as II is the woman's far more when the
man has received her hospitality. The one who
recognizes first should be tue first to show recog-
milton and In the case OF hostess it Is far easier
for her guests TO remember her than for her re-
member all or Them And what harm can 1t do a
woman II man bows to her? If she wishes to
cut him she can do IL as well after he has bowed
before. And If she is polite there very few re-
spectful BOWS which she cannot return.
IN EUROPE
the salutations OF servants and shOpkeeperS, Of
couriers and maids, are SO much more respectful
than here that an American woman is astonished.
NO doubt there is very much in the polished ETH
quette OF all society abroad which is very grateful
to Americans, particularly to women. They like
ceremony, politeneSs, and Difference. They like
the service, so easy and so marked. They like the
definiteness Of European etiquette. They like
liked social usageS. Even lazy servant affects
an American favOrably. "He also serves who only
which an American can well learn: not to be
ashamed TO take the initiative in hospitality In
p0iiteness.
Artificial observances have this merit, they pro-
tect the world from ''moods" and they start US on
our travels at an advantage. II a man or a woman
takes TO Europe good manner, a respectful salu-
tatton, which will show that ne was gentleman
at home, he will be treated with respect. The man
of sense knows that there is nothing like home.
person TO have any consideration in this world
must derive It from the place OF his BIRTH
Foreigners have q beautiful custom OF saluting
the dead. Whenever a hearse passes they take of
their hats to that silent majesty who cannot re-
spond. The custom In Paris OF having the coffin
lie in state at the door OF the inner court gives
an opportunity. IL has moved the heart OF many
passer-by, this respectful salutaton. 1t is in the
vertest spirit OF reverential pO1teness.
NJ. Z. W. SHERWOOD.