Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-02
The Very Plain Talk Of Princess
Engalitcheff, an
ACCOMPLISHED RUSSIAN LADY.
Too Much Liberty and Not Enough Revsr-
+ ence and Respect.
OUR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND SERVANTS
roonRrsrONDzncr OF THE D1srArcH.I

time turn the lens Of observation upon the
distinctive features and representative
members Of American society for the edlh-
cation and enlightenment of her own
people. She has the patronage of the
Russian legation and also number Of
valuable letters from the courts of the i've
great powers of Europe.
Unusually gifted, it is said that La
Princesse is studying American society to
do what no Russian lady has ever done
write book on the amenities of United
States society. Whatever her mission may
be, there is no question about its financial
success, and in social way she has been and
is, receiving the most distinguished atten-
ton and courtesy.
A couple of years ago, Prince Engalit-
chef died, leaving his wife a vast estate
which she was advised to place in the hands
of well-known German agent. His in
vestments were disastrous failures, and
when settlement was made, nothing re-
NAMED but remnants of the magnificent
fortune.
There were plenty of relatives to come
forward and offer the freedom of their mag
nifcent homes for life, but the Princess was
TOO PROUD TO ACCEPT FAvoRs.
and, as purely experimental scheme, pre-
pared series of Russian papers and came
to Washington to read them. Here, as well
as in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Atlantic
City, she has been most cordially received,
her friends not only honoring her as their
guest, but placing their drawing rooms at
her disposal and levying on their calling
lists for patronage. In this way she has
been treated as becomes princess, and
while teacher among her friends is also q
pupil.
American society, so far as she has seen
observations cannot fail to interest the peo-
pie studied.
"I must be honest if talk to you, for we
Russians have not the skill you possess Of, I
will not say assembling, but giving to q
word, letter or an opinion variety of in
terpretations, and you will pardon me if I
think that there is far too much freedom in
America. do not like it. think 1t is a
menace in many ways. For instance, I
think your children are frightfullY reared.
They are free from the very nursery to
abuse their nurses, they always have their
own way from the start, and the contempt
they must feel and often show their parents
is simply disgraceful. As for disre-
I came to the States. This they tell
me : e freedom; they call the insolent
little girl Miss Liberty and her brother the
coming President, and this is just the quail
ty Of freedom that never could become ac-
custgmed to. / have seen child not yet
years Of age order his father as if he were a
servant to bring his puzzle-box from the
nursery that he might show me how to get
the pigs in; at home where the young lady
sat at her piano practicing singing lesson
the mother Of the family was actually sent
to turn on the heat that the shameless
daughter might not take cold. A young
man with soldiers height and a uhiversi-
ty training ended an argument his mother
was making in this manner: my dear
mother, you don't know what you are talk
ing about" and then proceeded to relate the
occurrence in his own way, and that, too, in
the presence of callers.
SHARP CRITICISMS.
"And so you know tall son who was
being reproved for a reported discourtesy to
a young sister told his mother to let up
1 had never heard such a remonstrance
before but by the distress in the Iady's face
1 knew it must be remark of great disre-
to positive unrestraint in growing manhood
and vomanhood and though still depend
ent, sons and daughters have their own
friends, make their own plans, spend money
as thsy like and 60 and come as they please.
Not only is the boy his own boss but the
young lady is free to accept invitations and
presents from gentlemen and to marry,
even, whom she pleases. The freedom
that permits her to wound her mother
is the very same that leads her to elope with
her fathers coachman or chairman.
"ADd then how she dresses. Ny heavens
what freedom. Such colors and clothes are
unheard of in Europe. She is fond of at
tracing attention, and while if a man should
offer her an incivility dozen others are at
hand to protect her, there is everything
about her costume to plead the rascals de-
tense. She has jewels in her ears and at her
throat and in the very coils of her hair.
Even her hat is held with gold pins. She
has bright trimming in her bonnet, her
dress is snowy in every fold; perhaps she
wears gloves made for the opera, and I tell
you have seen shoes on her feet that no
European lady would dare to wear out of
her own salon or ballroom. Such dress
ing seems to be the fashion wherever have
been, but can never be made to think it in
good taste.
with us color is never worn on the
public street. Our walking suits are made
of the, darkest goods, often black, never
trimmed, always simple in cut, SO that the
difference in rank between lady and her
maid is marked by her presence, manner
and bearing. You will never see lady
with jewelry on in public or private before
dinner, and in summer we omit it alto
gethor, yet I have seen on Filth avenue in
carriages and along the promenade before
noon, not some, but many diamonds and
jewels that king might be proud to wear.
THE MAID EQUAL TO THE MISTRESS.
"And then your servantsl Dough, could
never be content to live in this country on
their account. Since I have been here
have tried to train those 1 have employed,
but they will not be instructed, and Just
plainly tell me that American ladies do not
require the respect insist on receiving. In
other words, the servant is proof in herself
of the inability of the American lady to ex-
act proper service. To illustrate my mean
ing, which is, that in this country the maid
is the equal Of the mistress, let me tell you
my experience. When / first arrived sent
word 10 the Office that wished to be pro-
vided with trustworthy, competent laun-
dress. The next day an Irish woman
knocked at my door. I said come in,' as
you say, and to my surprise the woman
walks into my parlor and takesa seat on my
divan. Are you real Russian princess?'
she asks me. admit that am princess,
and settling herself back among my satin
pillows, she says: We'll, princess, I'm
glad to see you; now come and tell me all
about RussiaP
''Now did you ever hear anything like
that for impudence?
my colored maid has been in some of the
best families, i am told, but 1 could not trust
her word or actions. She comes to my serv-
ing table, helps herself to the use of my