The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-07

Instruction In all Social Require meuts the
sole Work OF the In.tItutIon.


There is an exclusive and expensive private
boarding school in New York city where young
women taught socictY duties. and only these.
during their stay ut the school. Studies are
quite secondary and are omitted except a. they
pertain to English, French and German lltcra-
turc and the study Of the languages. Nothing
so commonplace spelling is ever mentioned in
the school curriculum, nor anythinsso CONNER
cial arithmetic. The pupils are embryo So
ciety bellies and go to study the require
mcnts of bcllcdom.
Let no one suppose that n reckless extrava-
gance ma+s the course at this school. or that its
routine is varied by silk gowns, French candies
and florists offerings. On the contrary there Is
a strict and almost parsimonious discipline so
that the young women may the more closely
devote themselves to the things they are to
learn. The course Is difficult that many
hitherto pampered In ell little Injuries, back
down entirely after a week of 1t and go home,
content to know less of society until they learn
its ways by actual experience.
Just five gowns are allowed to the young
women when they enter the school in the au-
tumn. OF these there may be two high-recked
evening dresses. two everyday gowns. and one
for the street. The last mentioned must be suit
able for church and matinee going for the
promenade and travelling The two everyday
gowns are for school wear. and the evening
do duty at the teas, musical evenings, and re-
receptions. which ar" feature OF the course.
Thus, first of ALL the young students In etiquette
are laugh, To ignore dress and to make Il en-
trely second to manners and accomplishments.
The question Of an allowance is settled with
the parents. certain Judge from the north
ern part q: the state. with plenty of money and
much love for his daughter brought the girl
who viii! be- II dthutante mex; year to New
YORK 10 place her in one OF those cxclu sive
finishing" schools. As he kissed his daughter
principal saw tie act and called him bacI. "'
IL forgot to tell YOU" said she, that we do
not allow our young laaies to have more than
81 a month spending money, and with this they
must pay their car fares. IT, by chance. we take
the street cars on our daily excursions. and they
toilet with the money their pins, ribbons, &c.
We do this to discourage III. buying of bon hons
and to preserve the compilations Of our girls"
The Judge hesitated. bowed To the inevitable
took back the bill, and, telling the principal To
give Ms dalghter Just as S much UGH, money as the
giyings that he was leaving his petted girl In
prison or refGrmat2ry rather than merely
form, such a. her m0the- had no time to teach.
After they become accustomed to the discl-
pline OF the school the students like 1t immense
ly and are loathe tn leave. They occupy we'll
furnished bedrooms opening into general par
common by three or four pupils. Their food Il
Of the best that can he contrived by the French
cook employed 70 cater for the school. They
usually have several boxes at the grand opera,
where they. go almost nightly during the sea-
readings" and are instructed even In the
work OF organizing sewing classes and in the
II an accurate list OF the school studies were
prepared IL would read something like this:
First Quarter-DaIly lessons in walking down
stairs and entering room; how Ia say " How
do you dOt, Ia "A stranger just presented; how
10 meet old acquaintances; when to rise and
when to remain seated; how to enter a carriage
and how 10 alight; the etiquette Of carriages,
where TO sit beside gentleman, how to hold
ribbons in driving mounting To the box seat &c.
Second Quarter Pouring tea at afternoons"
presiding M table a. hostess; how 10 be a guest;
how To enter dining-room with escort; arrange,
ment Of dining table. knowledge of menus, and
a very close study Of china, ceramics, and glass
ware; the entire art Of dining well, either as
Third Quarter etiquette nj dancing;
how often TO dance with ones escort; how to
sent at ones contingent ball; the reading OF
orders Of dancing and menu cards in half a
dozen different languages; a thorough knowl-
edge of the suitable music for dances dinners
and all social functions, and an absolutely rigid
course OF instruction In the etiquette OF gowns
When a young lady is graduated from finish
ing" school she never again asks: Mamma.
wi at shall wear to-dayf"
Fourth ana Last Quarter-The present fashions
styles in stationery and Invitations; record OF
the large events of New York. Paris, and Lon |
don social life; the names Of the people who con-
stitute society the world over
When young woman has finished a year OF |
this kind OF teaching she knows all there Is TO |
learn of polite usage And she is as correct one |
or prOtegee OF Blanche Willis Howard. Ii |
is said that Mrs. John A. Logan, herself let |
ter perfect In etiquette, once took party OF |
them in these things en- route. And /
Miss Reed, who now has Anna Gould abroad,
allows her young friends 20 be lacking in moth
ing when they leave her side.
A story IS told OF a bride who went 20 the
a liar at church wedding decolletee; and her |
old teacher In etiquette being among the guests,