Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-02
GOOD FORM.
Some OF the Restrictions That Cultivated
People Regard.

Some of the Restrictions That Cultivated
People Regard.
All well-meaning books OF etiquette to
the contrary Notwithstanding, says Har-
par's Bazaar. in these days OF self-poise
which are open to US. good form has
come to mean much less, or shall | say
rather, much more, than in the days
that are gone. Good form IS now UNDER
stood as meaning the good manners that
spring from a kind heart, and the writer's
of books Of etiquette are passing, as is
many another false note I'm our system
Of things. Now, shall each individual be
4 light unto himself in manners? This
is sure - be the rule Of the future,
when we have attained 20 a fun UNDER
Standing Of what the hour now offers
us I'm the way Of education, the education
Of the heart, and the coming man and
woman. being the product Of such educa-
ton. Will be brought to think for them
selves, and there will BE- no wasting az
gray matter in the writing or reading
of books upon good form But this is for
tomorrow. What Of to-day
Here is u case in point: y man visitor,
a man Of high education and calling,
kept waiting a length Of time for his
hostess. spent inc iasElllh lli'lll'tiAN III
looking over her bowl OF visitors cards,
which action this hostess and her many
friends dcnouncc as being extremely i'll
bred: and Yet here is almost u case for
argument \ book of American etiquett",
publisher ten years ago somewhere n
Indiana. and which same was compiled by
one woman and six men, with y. Vi. ana
\. T.. after their names, says in
CHAPTER devoted to calling: while walt
ing in the parlor for the person or whom
YOU have called. do not thump on an open
piano. nor walk about the room eXamin-
ing pictures and other articles
Had we gotten no further than that IN
1852. even in Iuiiania2 The aVtratr New
Yorker. | fancy would not be apt 10
"thump upon 'he piano but why should
not one loo. a' the pictures or BOOKS
or at the ca. ls that 50 often occupy Il
conspicuous pace in the drawius-fooNl'
which have been arranged. In the proven
bal nine cases out Of ton. with m tho!
not far remote from that employed b.
Becky sharp?
If cards should not he locked at. why
IS il not good form - put them ont Il
sight with other merely personal belong
ings?
And. again. for What reason do we
spcnd sundry and goOdly sums for rare
and beautiful works Of art where"ith ID
adorn our homes II they are not 70 D.
seen OF men? We may buy them simply
for our own enj Iyment. But wait SCI
rsbness Hes back OF that mOtive--l sell
dshness that Oyertops the spirit OF diS-
pIavi Time was when 10 show the leas, bit
of interest In or admiration for The De-
Iongings or deco atoms OF friend
home bespoke ignorance OF Food 10 -
but that day has gone BY. together WIN
the bouseholder's utter deoendcnr" uroh
the will Of decorator and fun.sher To-
day is here with lux reign or Individuality
and we may speak and admire w'tn
frankuesss such admiration usually I'M
plying a compliment 10 cur hostess
II. however, our acquired objects OF
art are not to be looked upon by the
casual visitor, why not adopt the Japd-
nese custom OF slowing away In bags
beautiful old silken bags Veutaoie hei-
looms. they use. for the Japanese are
rothlng IL not consstent-our treasures,
thev 10 be brought forth and exhibited
10 the elect only among our visitors!