The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-26
A POINT OF ETIQUETTE.
From the New York Times.

from the New YORK Times
Probably most Americans have heard
the story OF how Jesse Grant dined with
Queen Victoria, a story so delightful from
is pure republican flavor that posteriiy
must insist upon its truth. II has lately
been brought TO notice again by writer
in the WesfmiaNer Reriep, who presents a
point OF etiquette which, ii literally taken,
must strike CONSERVATION 10 the mind Of
the habitual diner-out. Says the writer:
''The English people have always been
amused mot more than Americans per-
haps) at the anecdote OF Jesse Grant, who,
when told that he was 10 dine with the
household said NO; that no was the
Queens guest. aud he would dine with her
or not ut all; that II he must dine with the
servants he would 20 home II he had
been M old Ms his father, or m wise, the
pctulant boy would have known that II
the hostess asked him 10 dine In the
kitchen or In the stable that he must do II
with calm face. lie had learned how to
be q host. but not how 10 be guest"
This rule that the guests invited 10 dine
Is TO 20 with 'calm face" not alone 10
the place where the hostess accompanies
him, but wherever she sends him In care
Of n scrvaat, seems calculated 10 add a new
terror 10 socialliie We can imagine some
Of the consequences Of lis general intro
duction. This system may work well
enough In England, where the servants are
OF superior order and the wives stand
more in awe OF their husbands; II does not
seem fitted for this country, and We think
that jesse Grants conduct, instead Of
being the subject Of criticism, Is de
scscrying Of all praise. With an in.
stinct which amounted almost 10 genius
he saw the danger 90 our society
from tho introduction OF this insidious
and pernicious English idea Of making
the guests dino with the servants and
gently but firmly put his foot upon IL. A
lady invited him with his father and
mother. TO dine at her house in the town
Of Windsor. They accept, reach the house,
dress, enter tho dmwing-room and wait
for the hostess. She docs not come her
self, but sends q servant, an upper foot
mana gentleman In waiting they call
him over there requests General and
Mrs Grant TO walk into the diningroom,
but informs Jesse that he Is 10 step into
another apartment and dine with the at
tendanis. The young man declined, upon
tho grounds That when invited TO dine with
a lady lac expected 10 dino with her and
not with the servants. Was he not right
after alp lie certainly did not 20 20
Windsor castle 10 get dinner for as Is
well known the economical lady who pro.
sides over that mansion does not waste
money on her cuisine lie went 10 dino
with her, aud, when told that she was 20
bc invisible, saw that there was n mistake,
aud 10 very properly prepared 10 leave.
The English people, when they heard Of
the occurrence, were deeply shocked. II
was such an. honor, In their eyes, 90 he In
vilod 10 Windsor that the man must be
dmtl who failed To appreciate Il, even
though he dincd in the stable. They for.
got that this lad was the son Of man Aho
had been the chief magistrate Of 0,0O0,-
OOO people, aud had socn no end OF Queens
and Kings and Enperors.
Again they smiled nj what thoy thought
WIS his Ignorance In calling the members
Of the Queens household simple servants.
hut here tho young man was wiser than
bis critics. Servants they certainly are,
aud nothing morc, although some Of them
own large estates aud have long handles TO
their names. Al home they may be mas.
tels, Just M the millionaircs chef may own
housc, be landlord aud swell around Ia
Ia. domestic circle. but In the royal house.
mold they are simply upper servants.
onoon's, gentlemen In waiting. Indies In
waiting or whatever they may be called,
,h.y bear the sumo relation 20 their |
misirc~. when ON duty, NJ our plain |
wailcrs aud chambcrnaids bear 10 their |
mattresses of COURSE Il is q huge
lokn thai people should think II an ]