Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-01-08
BY.the W aY.

l had grown into the habit of compar-
ing the manners of American and Mexi-
can men, disadvantageously to the
former. Our southern neighbors surely
have most polished manners, and they
not infrequently indulge in very
trenchant criticism of the alleged Ameri-
can propensity to retain the head-gear,
or to elevate feet in the presence of
ladies, as we'll as of the bluff, not to say
blunt, American manner of addressing
the gentler sex, and the absence Of
elaborate and personal compliment in
conversation Herewith. The observa-
ton of some three months has con-
vinced me either that my recollection is
woefully faulty, or else that the standard
of manners in this direction has i'm.
proved most notably and satisfactorily.
Brusque and finland as our American
men perhaps are, their tone toward
women is characterized by a profound
respect and true reverence and consider
alton that is beautiful to see. And as to
the specific offenses-if our men do not
stand bareheaded in the rain or on street
corners while in converse with
L
think have seen five, all told, remain
covered in lift in the presence of
lady and have more than once entered
lift where half score of men, young
and old, stood hat in hand already, the
only feminine occupant being girl-child
of 10 or IL years. 1t is sweet, too, to see
that the question of womanhood alone
impels them woman of so-called
| al koI -
seemly, receives the same public courtesy
as one OF high. social rank, whereas in
the sister republic working woman is
regarded as not only fair prey for evil de-
signs, but as thing upon which courtesy
porting woman, of course felt deep
qualification at the opinion l often heard
expressed by the most advanced repre-
who undertakes journalism, art, or other
professional or industrial means of self
support, does 80 simply to cloak other
modes Of procedure. For my own part. |
am as proud of American men as
class, as if they were, one and all, of my
very own. Abrupt they may be, and
sometimes wanting in superficial salon
polish, but tender, true and chivalric,
ever full of reverence for true woman
hood, and ready to sacrifice their own
selfish convenience or qualification to
woman'a welfare. They make me feel
proud of being an American woman.
Probably no other conditions bring
outthe true phases of individual human
nature so surely and rapidly as does
travel. A steamship or railway car is
a little world in which the student of
character finds rich material" Here
is the experienced traveller who comes
aboard without fuss or worry, and
settles into position with matter of-fact
intent to be as comfortable as possible,
ready, however, to condense belongings
into legitimate limits at moments
warning. Another-man or woman-feels
it necessary to attempt to give the
same impression by an exag-
gerated and swaggeriag air Of
entirely-at-homenees. The novice is
nervous, uneasy, full of fears and fore.
bodings. One selfish party establishes
self and impedimeata in the space allot-
ted for half a dozen passengers, and con-
centrates only at q direct and urgent
instance; another routs out an invalid or
the sleeping child of O wearied mother
from an extra seat, when another would
quite as we'll answer the purpose. There
are mothers who allow their badly-man-
aged children to rampage and riot at will
in the community quarters, as they would
in their own home, regardless OF the
nerves and comfort of fellow-passenger
Folk there be, too, who would frown upon
and exclude all occupations or diversions
which do not accord with their own
mood of the present, merely from
caprice, and not because OF actual
molestation. How many of ue have
smiled over the distrustful lamb who