The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-10-07
UNMANNERLY YOUNG MEN.
Those of the Present Day Need Sharp
Lesson in CjvilIty.

LcSSOn III SJNHlLys
1t is obviously absurd to discuss what
does not exist, and, therefore, those who
have anything to say on the subject oi
mems manners had better say it at
once; for, il matters progress at their
present rate, men will soon have no man,
ners at all. Every century has ita
diatribists-if the uncouth word may
be alIowed-and ours is no exception to
the rule. Mrs. Lynn Linton, Ladye
Jeune, Ouda, Lady Cook and Others
have at all times expressed themselves
against the evils and the follies of So
ciety, but society does not seem to inn
prove, and Lord Meath's latest nine
teenth century utterance is not a bit
too strong. Manners are dying out, es-
pecially among men, and it really seems
as if gentlemen would soon be thing
of the past. 1t is high time that the
young men of London were brought to
their bearings and it is only the women
who can teach them the lesson that they
need. This season is nearly over. Lit
tie or nothing can be done during it's
remaining weeks. But I ask hostesscs
" ICSOlfC W lldhc Slduu dS dlhSC LII
prevailing bearishness and boorish-
ness before next summer comes around.
1t is almost incredible the lengths to
which the young male of the presen.
day will go in bad manners.
In the first place, he has practically
ceased to answer invitations. So gen
eral has this practice become hat hos
tesses always reckon upon it when Civ
ing ball. A very well-known woman
of the world recently sent out cards for
a dance. She asked so women and GEO
men. About 30 of the 600 had the de-
cency to let he know whether they H.
tended to accept her hospitality or not.
Of the remaining $40 some came and
some stayed away. Yet the legend +. S.
V. P. was in the corner of every card.
A great many men, who wrongly im-
agine themselves to be gentlemen, when
they receive card for a ball. don't reply
to it, but when the night of it arrives
they 60 to the house a little after ~, de-
post their coats and hats and make
straight for the supper-room. Their"
they squat down, eat and drink until
they are satisfied, and. having done so,
depart without paying ever moment
airy visit to the ballroom or having the
decency to greet their host or hostess.
In fact, they use private house merely
as an eating house and go to it only for
the practical purpose of gorging.
TO many this statement will seem
well-nigh incredible. 1t is perfectly
true, nevertheless, and dozens of host
esses could bear witness to it. When
men do condescend to shake hands with
their entertainers and "show" in the
ballroom they very often refuse 10
dance, and absolutely decline to be in
troduced to any girls who want part
ners. They are, therefore, only in the
way, and deserve to be carried inconti-
nently into the street without further
parley. Their fatuous faces stay enjoy
ment in others. They squeeze round
the doors, making entrance and egress
almost impossible, and their long,
limbed lassitude is standing insult to
the girls who come to the ball to dance
and not to make themselves ridiculous
by vanity and offensive by i'll breeding.
l wonder that hostesses have tolerated
the airs and graces of these deplorabia
degenerates so long. Everyone COM
plains of them, but everybody seems
afraid of them Why? A sharp lesson
would do them all the good in the world,
Some women in authority. some leader
of society, should decline to admit to
her house those who have not replied to
her invitations and express herself
frankly to the men who come and re-
fuse, with contempt. to either dance OF
depart. A few bold words would clear
the air and bring these impertinent AMI
badly behaved vulgarians to a more
reasonable and more desirable frame 81
mind.--Thc Gentleman.