The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-24
THURSDAY. AUGUST "a, 1893.
SIX PAGES.
rsorrsu ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.


the London Spectator, what is called
society" in England is little more than
a general consensus in and practice OF
artiecialities that one set Of its ieyotaes
calls conyentionalisms, and another set
calls unoonventionalisms though the
unconventionalism seems to be no more
an substance than fixed resolution to be
unconventionally conventional. Accord
Ing to the Spectator the mania is not
eaually prevalent in all orders of society
but RACES principally among the women
of the Upper and middle" classes
what IL calls the ''better-vuigar How
10 be conventional 1t says. is the motive
which dominates every thought and action
Of their lives. Wouldn't it be very con-
ventional thing to do" is. it says the
touch-stone used to decide all the minor
problems OF existence.
Whilst the mania RACES chiefly amongst
those referred to,it is nevertheless far
from being confined to them, If we are TO
believe the Spectator. According to 1t
every order and rank has patients who
suffer from II and unconventionalism
may safely be put down as the fashion Of
the day amongst all those who aspire to
"a place in the smart sets.
To give an idea OF the condition ii
says; A lady again tells risque story
not because II Is laughable, or because
Il Is apropos, or because IL comes into
her head 10 do 80 at the moment. but
...lx.
imagines it will show people that she has
not got the ideas about social correctacss
entertained or supposed to be entertain
ed by country olergyman's wife.No
sensible person would,of course. desire
TO make anything approaching TO a pro-
test against these feeble and perfunctory
little improprieties on the ground of
their Improperly they are as harmless
as the cigarette. through which modern la
dies plough their way with the object, not
of enjoying the tobacco. but OF being UNI
conventional. but at the same time II is
impossible not 10 feel them out OF place
and to notice the incongruity. Again.
there Is. perhaps. no reason in morals
why women should not swear parlor
oaths granted that men are permitted
40 do so. but is none the less absurd TO
see ladies laboriously terrifying their ex-
pressions OF opinion merely for the sake
or avoiding conventionality.
The Spectator does not. however, des-
pair OF England on account Of the moon
stroke which has overtaken so many En-
giish men and women. 1t thinks IT sees
evidences OF better day approaching.
Il says that a great reaction Will
sooner or iater-probably sooner-take
place In regard to conventionality. is
quite obvious. The really best
people--we mean the people who would
be universally admitted to have a right
TO that title-just as they never let
themselves be bound too fast by the
old conventions. have avoided the ty-
rany OF the new convention OF uneonven-
tionaiity: and soon as the crowd be-
low begin to understand this fact there
will be a positive stampede In the direc-
ton OF being conventional. We shall see
young men making elaborate bows TO
their partners instead Of nodding at them
while they wink the other eye" and ask
Ing for the honor OF dance" instead OF
jerking out an interrogative "ali gone"
or got any, as now.The girls will fol-
low suit and instead Of full UP" or "af-
ter the fair we shall hear pleasure or
regret expressed in phrases such as
Catherine Moreland employed in 1.-THE
Rooms" ninety years ago. The assumed
fsrocity OF The modern young man at
breakfast In country house viii be
exchanged for a smiling face and elabo
rate II clumsy attempts TO please
The young married woman will assume
An artificial air OF reserve. and win be as
puhetiious as they are now free-and-
easy. or course the reaction like all reac-
lions viii 20 too far. and, except among
ths Few sensible people who aim AT being
neither conventional or unconventional
ss' VINO sincerely wish to be natural and
."sh'seises We shall have formalltv for
'ns une enshrined and worsb,n,ea
"o' 70 De pedan,icaiiy obseryant ~ a
eoae Oh social conventions as q
SOUNDS now--will be the most apnal,,nv
Daa FORM When that has happened win
como the time for the new reyolut,o, o.
Fo'i'ns the idol down again. aud for ..,.
na9 W Ess another image Of tia. Pro-