Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25
The WelI-Bred Girl.
rprovidapcA R. IL Journal)

providence OR. ~ JournaD
People who DO not know how TO pc
have are seldom taught by books, but
there Is so much good sense in Mrs. Bur-
ton Harrisons little volume on The Wen
Bred, Girl in Society,"" that we cannot help
hoping some of its rsaders VIII take her
advice TO heart. Society-and we mean
by Society, OF course, those VINO nave
some cultivation, a sufficient income ana
leisure for enjoyment-ought 10 be Well
bred without trying; but th3 unfortunate
fact remains that in very elevated CIR
cles indeed there Is much positive rude
ness to be encountered. Under veneer
of politeness there may exist wanton
disregard for the feelings or comfort Oh
others. This is too often CHARACTERISTICS
OF Society when IL is not on Its own
ground-when II takes a public place or
the presence of interiors as Offering 1t
release from the etiquette II is supposed
10 honor. A favorte opportunity for ex-
hibitions Of ill-manners is the theatre
party. ut is inconceivable," says MIS-.
Harrison, "why women VINO unoe- no cir
curnstsnces, when alone, would risk draw
ing down public comment Ulon them
selves, become so reckless IN taking anu
laughing together. and taking outsiders
into their confidence, at such time.
one reason. we suspect, for their be-
havior Is the attitude Of contempt Tor
the rest of mankind which those IA So
c;ety are too apt to entertain. OFTEN,
perhaps. the contempt Is unconscious
They would be courteous enough on ordl-
nary occasions 10 those they regard as
beneath them and they would be kind
10 those In distress or want. But men
and women In the mass do not appear
70 them as human beings with the same
rights to consideration that their own
friends possess. We are not arguing now
against social exclusiveness. 1t IS natu-
raj that those OF similar aims ana tastes
should draw together. There Is III lact'
as much social excluslveness among tne
poor as among the rich. Bul one resui.
~ the separation Of our upper classes On
we may call them that without onehcel
from active communication with the rest
80 IN. world Is the growth OF a class feel
ing unsoftened by sympathy or kindliness.
t. "a not so elsewhere-in England es-
necislly. where from time immemorial
tba aristocracy have felt the obligations
imnosed upon them and have dwelt among
their tenants and dependents with an init
macy unknown in democratic America.
probably In time similar conditions may
axist here. Meanwhile the leisure classes
suffer from their seif-imposed isolation.
Put are good manners even within the
nrecincts of Society SO common as they
ought TO be? We fear that many or the
hints which Mrs Harrison gives are need
ed by girls who think themselves we'll
bred. The unmarried girl has had 1T
tie too much prominence for her good.
Accustomed 10 carry all before her with
n high hand. she forgets the respect due
those older and (perhaps) wiser than her
self. The stricter laws which Society In
our larger cities is beginning to ENFORCE
absurd as they may seem TO some per-
sons-haye done much to tope down the
exuberance of the unmarried girl, and 10
compel her to pay more regard 10 con-
ventions which. though they may coca.
slonally seem unnecessary, are FOUNDED
upon experience and deponstrate tneir
value when they are Ignored Nss' uas'