The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-15
Peter Ercstsd, krs TruihfG', Brighter and
Mach emsItsr.
Der Italian Stls, sors Beautiful, Elwsv.T
English GTl,.
characteristics of John BulFs Daughters
Wherein They Can Teach Our Girls
Something Worth Knowing, Etc.
Written for the Sentinel.
Copyrighted, 1881

e,mpared with the French, Italian and
English. This matter / propose to treat as
well as can IN a brief article. 1t is deli
cate question, but do Tot intend to dodge
IL. to pick phrases, or ia any way seek TO
umor nationsl prejudices or individual
folceit. Yet shall speak in all love, as
10 II sincerity.
American young ladies OF good socisty
ere etter educated, mentally and morally,
u an the French and Italian girls-are
ore frank ard truthful; they have more
Ia Ell and less tact, are more amiable and
/ polite, more knowing and less deep,
mile unworldly and less devout. They
~ Brighter, smarter, more piquante aud
VIyaciJus than English girls, ana would be
much prettier had they in face and form
tbe warm, pure coloring, the firm, full
contours-in short, the blooming, glowing,
Astounding health OF the daughters OF "the
snug little isle" This as a general thing
American girls lack and always will, as
long as they abstain from long walks, I'm
prison their waists in tight corsets, and
their feet in tight shoes, bake or simmer in
monstrously over.heated rooms, and riot
ously indulge Ia confectionery. An Fog.
lish gentleman, a middle-aged M. p, once
told NE that on his first visit TO Amsrics,
young countrywoman OF mine kindly
gave bim some memoranda to aid him in
sightseeing and shopping in New York,
ending, TO his great amusement, with this
important direction, "For candies, 80 TO
Huyler's."
For some years past the supposed typical
and representative Am9ri girl pas been
very popular IN certain fas iiOnable Lon
don cuc!es; her freshness, her originality,
her gayety, her Independence, not to cay
auoacity, farm shing frequent sauce Tor
jadtd social appentes, on which the mod
est airs, the staid good breeding, the grave
cheerfulnesl aud quiet reticene OF English
maidens have palled.
must say that have been thoroughly
astoniahed az hearing quoted as good
things some of the lively sallies OF these
young American "high flyers at fashion. "
IL seemed 10 me that tuipgs so rough, yet
30 fiat, so senseless and slsngy, could only
have been uttered by fools, and for fools.
That they have beel calmly said and era.
cloudy applauded proves the power OF
beauty and fashion. To young English
man, who had been retailing some of she
sudacious bon .mots of certain TRANSIT
lantic BELLE" aud describing some OF Der
startling eccen:ricities, | said, Is 1t posi-.
bic thar you prefer girls CT that style to
your sisters, for instance? 2" mo, not eX'
actly, but 20 other fellows sisters, yes,
They take ones breath away occasionally,
especially when they are talking to crowd
saying stunning things in peculiar Amer
lean tone, you know: but they are original
they give one Few sensation IN snort
they are awfully jolly"
on the closing night of Mr.. Irving's last
London season, had the ill-fortune to be
seated in a Lyceum stall Just in front OF d
fair countrywoman Of this description
She was young. pretty, and stylish" bat
in conversation she was silly and ''swful
~" audible. All through the entre-acts
and every now and then during the play,
she discoursed with, or rather to, ''du
Gish" youth at her right, scarce giving
look or a word to the meek mother at her
left, Her high-pitched provincial voic'
had remarkable carrying power. a scor'
OF people turned TO fix on her curious OF
annoyed chances, but she took all reg ard
ss tributes to her prettintss and piqu lui
pr tile, tossed her dainty head, ant
twanged away.
English girls sre the most undemonstra
tive and unasserIive creatures living, hav
ing IL them necUliar shyness aud reserve
T. Wsy of half-effacing themselves in gener
ii society. They seem without ambition
~ FOcial distinction, but are seldom lack
ing in the discharge OF any social duty
Americans privileged to visit in Englisl
homes soon recognise the peculiar house
hold virtues the gentle domestic arts an
accomplishments of English girls. We Sc
them assisting tee mother in the dutie
and cares OF hospitality, but never seekin
20 deprive her of its dlgnities. They ar
her lleutenants. Their faith in and adm
IaIion for their big brothers may seem t
Us excessive (brothers count for SO niue
10 England, put their tilial devotion, d.
ferentia l aud unquestIoning, is s0methin
beautiful and touching 10 such visitors a
know little except through tradition 9
that antique cult. English girls are wou
dtrfully cheerful il not exactly CHEEKY b.
iDgs. Il takes very little 10 make thsI
aof ~ frOra "a
dryest sort of entertainments, such q
solemn ecclesiastical garden parties, an
monster receptions OF scientific societies
and those dull old dress parades, thong
midsummer fetes, in the Royal Botanicf
Gardens. The only social affair at whic
the healthy chesrfulness OF nice Englis
girl is too sorely tried, is Just dancin
party, when she finds herself, through
s.aIcity of partners, compelled for tiHl
to play wall .flower;n for the nice Englis
girl dearly loves to dance. Providence ma
not have lowered her with dainty fee
and the British shoemaker may hav
wrought her cruel wrong, but she adores
ball all the same. She is dressed for IL /
the traditional white gown, with low nee
and short sleeves, is friiled and flounce
and lowered all over, and is pretty, ps
thetic figure as she sits beside her mo, he
silent, wislful, respondent and chilly. Be
when, at last, personao.e partner appear
bows. and leads her 20 place in a sat bsin
formed, she smiles, she flushes, the dimpl'
come and go, her impatient foot pats ii
floor; she is shyly triumphant; she is dee
down bappy-the nice English girl b
fond as she is OF this amusement, WIFE
there is dancing at her own house, she wi
beroically refrain, while one, the least
her lady guests, is lacking partner; az
this reminds me of the behavior OF your
Americana beauty and an heiress at
danciDg-party given for her at the hou
of q relative-her home for the time. EG
lish and French young ladies present We
indignant and astoDished at her not on
failing 10 present partners 10 them, b
being always on the floor herself. Amer
can girls were indignant, bat not astonis
ed. Space was limited, and the number
dancing young men also, so more than OF
young ledy's turn never came. At supp
II was the same. The queen OF the fete v
served first and last, and most Oo1nteousl
for much exercise had given her an app
lite. Yet she was capricious, and kept ha
dozen rival admirers 'Dleasuring b
Ssinfy him" IL was pretty sight. Sa
tbis AZ j. ss little egOist, to one of her d
psruHg guesfs-a dance-loving Englh
.ifl. " 90 had not danced-'I hope u
Jsv@ lad real elegant time, have"
WreD the English mother gives the 81
mai for home-eoing from the ball or gards
party. TIE daughters depart cheerfully,
10 the ouDg sons from the race or crick