St. Paul daily globe., 1891-12-06

the diplomatic corps have actually CON-
piled general form of printed rules for
the use or the legations and for new
members. | think we ought TO have
code of etiquette here. In the absence of
any book il would be well if we could
have master of ceremonies who might
be elected or appointed for life, and who
should not change with every admins
tratiOn. With US often persons of ex-
perlence are puzzled how to dress upon
important occasions of ceremonies at the
capital. Last year most Of the after
noon receptions were presided over by
ladies in full evening dress. many of
these IN low neck and bare arms. At
such receptions the gentlemen appeared
III ordinary morning dress, and the diff
ference strikes strangers unpleasantly
Inc absence of rule5 causes many awk
ward situations, and | remember an in
cldent which occurred at a tea
which gave in honor of
TREND at that time my guest. Shortly
after the hour named on the cards. an
acquaintance vino had not been long in
the country. arrived clOaked and bon
netted. On entering the house she
noticed the ladies OF the receiving party
IN ruiz dress standing within the parlor
door. She at once drew the conclusion
that full dress was necessary, and. turn
ing. went home and changed her walk
lng dress for one more suited to the Oc-
caslOn. Upon returning she found the
room filled with women callers in ele-
CANT walking toilets. 1t was too late
then to remedy her mistake, though the
position was extremely awkward for all
concerned"
Mrs. Robert 2. Porter.
Mrs -, -.
ent Of the census, being asked for her
views on Official etiquette, said:
i had lived some years III Washing
ton before entering official life, and so
was familiar with all matters OF social
etiquette. and its pecuiiarities did not
impress me rs they do 4 stranger. I
was much impressed not long ago by
the remark Of Mrs. Reed concerning
the number OF visits she was called
upon to pay. Said she: L usually
average twenty calls every AFTERNOON.
six days in the week. Yet at this rate
am not able to pay half my calls.
am pushed to the wall, and l do not
know what to do
There IS one thing in returning calls
IN person in Washington" continued
Mrs. Porter, land that is the physical
labor involved in getting in and out of a
carriage and going up and down the
stairs OF twenty different houses in an
afternoon. Many of the ladies OF this
city are delicate. and standing for hours
at reception or an afternoon tea and
climbing these stairs is most detriment-
al to the health. | certainly think that
some change ought to be made as to our
social rules. The task Of arranging and
asserting the cards, the trouble or re-
turning the calls and other matters
which are connected with the duties of
the wife Of a government official make
her position one of hard work rather
than one OF pleasure. suppose a mas
ter OF ceremonies might better it,
though L cannot see how such an ap-
pOlntment could be made"
Mrs. Mcpherson.
called upon Mrs. Mcpherson. the
wife Of the senator from New jersey.
She said:
Nv are in daily growing need OF a
" ard McAlliSter OF some sort in Wash
ingtOn. though l think Mr.. McAllister
is an extremist in many ways. He errs.
however, on the safe side. Take a num-
Der of experienced women like Mrs.
Morton and Mrs. Fish. for instance.
women whose lives have been passed IN
the very best society of this and foreign
landS-if such women could come to-
gether, discuss social questions. and lay
down general Iule for society, ii
would be fer tine good of the whole
country, and especially for the good of
the capital"