The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-21


civil dress alone can procure for him; at home
tho uniform 10 never laid aside. In n drawing
room. at ball at the play, aconcert, at pub
lie gatherings Of all kinds. lie appears as a
soldier. and, by virtue OF his very uniform, he
! Is honored. Moreover German soldiers re-
ceive no pay service in the German army is
y paid service only for those who follow IL
professionally: that Is to- say. for officers COM
| missioned and non-com misaoned.
| Nv.
| In . chapter on manners and titles Mr.. Daw-
son points out that tho forms OF courtesy are
| in general admirably observed in Germany
| among and between all classes. Often. no
| doubt ono may feel that the forms are purely
conventional; yetit is submitted that. after ALL
attention to the slightest amenities OF per
sonal intercourse IL agreeable, and even su-
rerfcial courtesy is moro acceptable than the
| brusqunness OF the boor who prides himself
| upon tho fact that he owes no man anything
neither money nor. much less. civity In
Germany even the attitude OF the so-called
| lower classes toward their social superiors ia
| marked. az rule by u quiet respect aud def
| erence Unduestionably the military system.
| with its rigorous discipline and its encourage
| ment Of self-restraint has largely helped to
make the popular demeanor so decorous. We
arc assured. however that good manners are
learned before entrance into the army. Po-
likeness. like patriotism. IL taught in the cle-
mentary schools and military service does but
confirm the training OF the classroom.
Fssaying TO determine how far the courtesy
and etiquette which are usually observed
with so much care are put on. the author notes
that the Germans themselves appreciate the
difference between tho kindly disposition and
the grace OF manner which are acquired and
those which are innate. Tho one they call
courtesy pure and simple the other courtesy
OF heart. The superficial side OF the practice
OF courtesy is most conspicuous In the spsto-
AIRY forms Of address. which have grown out OF
a studied observance of conventionality in
written communications. What. asks Mr..
Dawson, shall ono say OF the verbal
superfuities with which German letters
abound. tho prelxes. the signatures tho pro-
testations Of obedience and humility. tho accu-
mulated assurances OF honor and respect the
compliments that mean everything or nothing.
1t is It seems. at once a science and an art. thi,
distribution OF the right phrases in the RICH,
places. We are told that the Jewish shop.
keeper has an unfnilin: instinct for the correct
apportlonment OF such formaities. and he
revels in them. II you are nobody. ho will ad-
dress YOU with a simple Sir" or at IN ost with
stin "Honored SIR" and finally says
Yours" or Respectfully" If you are some
thing above social negation. you will be al
dressed as Very Honorcd Sir" or We'll
Born" and. should your calling be associated
with literature. you may rely on receiving the
title OF Doctor" from Your Highly Respect
full" or Most Humble" correspond
emit But this Is only tho beginning
OF q graduation OF reverential addresses.
which when It eliminates. would be sublime
were 1t not ridiculous. Well horn" advances
to Highly we'll born" and this to High
born" in the event OF aristocratc birth.
Protestant clergyman is addressed as Your
Reverence" and n Catholic priest as Highly
Reverenced." Where high offlcia! have to be
approached Difference becomes doubiy and
treby serve. Yet here. too. there Is a proper
code OF formality which may not be departed
from on pain of giving dire offence and incur
ring the odium OF bad breeding. Full OF rev.
erence." Dutifully." and Full OF awe" are
rising grades. When the higher nobility Is
addressed language fails to express the awe
which Is deemed requisite. A ruling count is
" lllustrious." a prince Most serene" aud
a prince OF the blood Is. as elsewhere.
Royal HGhness." The occupants OF
a throne are spoken OF in elaborate
terms suggestive Of Oriental efIusiveness
The plural form Is used when either king o.
queen is named. His or her Majesty haze said
or done this or that are coming here or going
there: and so in all cases. When the King
makes IN appointment. no is not simply
pleased 10 do so. but In accordance with
his most high resolution. he most Rracious!y
designs" &c. Even death does not maks all
men equal for then, too. obseluous express
s!ons are reserved for royal personages. The
dead body is spoken OF as the high corpse"
or the most high corpse" and the departed
Is not merely blessed" but highly blessed"
or most blessed" Not only Is An extravagant
system OF address In vogue throughout all
ranks, but most people insist upon receiving
the Difference which they consider duo to
them In Berlin, not long ago. n lady accused a
trAdesman OF an Intended insult. In that he had
only signed himself in letter most hum
bly," and not respectfully and most humbiy"
The Court OF the first instance took the COM
plainants view. though on appeal, its verdict
was reversed. The business man has his re-
vengs occasionally. About the same time .
Berlin shopkeeper obtained the conviction and
punishment OF a lady who had sent him post
card containing the offensive question. Are
you too busy TO answer tho question asked ?" |
II Is also well known that all over Germany
excessive I'm portance IL attached to titles In |
every State these are bestowed in great num-
Der and variety. with the result OF minimizing
or destroying tho Significance of all but tho |
most select OF them. In some OF the smaller |
States the title question has been reduced to a |
farce, so that in the eyes OF Intelligent men !
Il has become greater dignity 20 be without |
a prefix than to have one. Absurd as is !
the superhuity Of titles, matters are made 4.
worse by the custom OF eaxing 10 a name !
the oiiic!al and even professional and business |
rank OF it's bearer To address orally a person |
who belongs to tho Official or the professional !
class without indicating his rank would DO |
offensive. Thus you speak to Mr. Counsellor |
Of Comm ~ - 4.
clergyman, TO Mr. Pastor. Neither are the !
wives forgotten In ths observance Of titular |
distinction They must be addressed as Mrs. |
Counsellor Of Commerce or as Mrs. Pastor. |
Occasionally actions at law are instituted be- |
cause OF the Withholding OF = title rightly ac- |
quired. In the society OF small towns this for !
malitI Is observed to the point oi chidishness. !
More offence Is given. more friendships |
are destroyed moro malice Is generated. /
mora woman ara sent hama In oh frrin from, /