The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-07
MANNERS OF YOUNG MEN.
claim That They Are AbomInable
D~piorfng tho Dccadence.


D~pIoring the Dccadence.
It is obviously absurd to discuss what
does not exist, and, therefore,, says the
Gentleman those who have nothing to
say on the subject Of mems manners had
better say it at once; for. If matters pro-
gress at their present rate, men will soon
a no manners at all. Every century
has its diatribists-if the uncouth word
may be allowed-and ours is no exception
to the rule. Mrs. Lynn Linton. Ladye
Jeune. Ouida, Lady Cook and others nave
at times expressed themselves against the
evils and follies of society, but society
does not seem to improve, and Lord
Meath's latest nineteenth century utter
ance is not a bit too strong. Manners are
dying out, especially among men. and 1t
really seems as If gentlemen would soon
be a thing of the past. 1t is hig time
that the young men of London were
brought to their bearings and 1t Is only
the women who can teach them the les
son they need. This season is nearly
over. Little or nothing can be done dur
ing its remaining two weeks. But ! urge
hostesses to resolve to make a stand
against prevailing bearishness and Door
ishness before next summer comes
around. 1t is almost Incredible the
lengths to which the young male OF the
present day will go in bad
cs n the = first arsv PLACE iev,f hs aas e. eensrsg
has this practice become that hostesses
always reckon upon it when giving a ball.
A very ~well-known woman or the world
recently sent out cards for a dance. she
asked fifty women and 600 men. About
thirty of the 600 had the decency to let her
know whether they intended to accept ner
hospitality or not. OF the remaining 51V
some came and some stayed away. Yet the
legend r. s. ". p. was in the corner OF
every card. A great many men who
wrongly imagine themselves to pc gentle
men. when they receive a cara Tor q PAL.
don't reply to 1t, but when the night OF
it arrives they go straight to the house q
little after II, deposit their coats and hats
and make straight for the supper room.
There they squat down, eat and drink I'll
they are satisfied, and, having done so,
| depart, without paying even a momentary
visit to the ballroom or having the de-
cency to greet their host or hostess. In
| fact, they use a private house merely as
an eating house and go to it only for the
practical purpose of gorging.
To many this statement will seem Wen
nigh Incredible. It is perfectly true,
could bear witness to it. When men 90
condescend to shake hands with their
entertainers n show. IN the ballroom sh
solutely. decline to be INTRODUCED to any
| girls who want partners. They are,
e. tos be carried Spi iyncont me Iss into the Street
without further parley. Their fatuous
faces stay enjoyment in others. They
squeeze around the doors, making en-
| trance and egress almost impossible, and
their l~ong-limbed lassitude is a standing
| insult to the girls who come to the ball
| to dance and not to make themselves
ridiculous by vanity and offensive by ILL
breeding.
I wonder that hostesses have tolerated
the airs and graces of these degenerates
80 long. Every n complains Of them.
but everybody seems afraid of them.
Why? A sharp lesson would do them
| all the good in the world. Some woman
in authority, some leader of society,
should decline to admit to her house
those who have not replied to her in
vitations and express herself frankly to
the men who come and refuse, with con-
tempt, to either dance or depart. A few
| bold words would clear the air n
bring these im~pertinent and badly behav-
ed vulgarians to a more reasonable and
| more desirable frame Of mind.-Newark
| Evening News.