The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-09
ETIQUETTE.
The Proper Social Laws Regarding the
Foot, Ankle and Leg.
Mrs. 1easrson Dapis, in the St. louis Repubzic.

AIRS. JEFFERSON OUCtS, w
There is an unwritten law Of etl-
ouette for the foot, ankle and leg. 1t
is Of equal Importance to men and wo-
men. 1t is unconsciously followed by
many men and women of even the
plainest breeding. In fact, most OF
these laws are so much matter OF
custom that the public is surprised
when they are violated. Neverthe-
less, the etiquette Of the ankle, foot
and leg is of special Importance, as
ignoring it even in the slightest way
renders both men and women not on
ly conspicuous, but stamp them at
once as ill-bred.
For women the etiquette Of the foot
applies not only TO the general use OF
the foot, but to the matter Of dress
ing it.
In walking, woman should put her
foot on the ground firmly, but lightly.
She should never strike the heel first.
The knee should be kept stiff at the
moment Of the contact Of the foot with
the ground.
She should wear, in cold weather,
neatly-6tted boots-always black.
The fashion Of light-colored spats,
which seemed to be about to come in
to general use, has been discarded by
people of good taste, and black ones
are universally ADOPTED.
In summer what are uniquely dub
bed sshighlow shoes are verygeneral-
ly worn, as cooler and more comforta-
BILE than the closer boot.
Slippers are worn only in the house.
Satin or silk boots or shoes of the
same color and material as the frock
are always admissible, except in the
morning or ON the street, and some
times are very elegant, but they are SO
expensive that few except the wealthy
use them.
If the boots or shoes are buttoned,
it is indispensable that none Of the
buttons should be lacking, and that
all should be buttoned. Ii the shoes
are laced the strings should be secure
II tied.
MUST HIDE FOOT.
No matter how small Or how pretty
her foot may be, the well-bred woman
will never attract attention toit When
seated at home or in public convey
ance she will see that her feet are en-
tirely hidden by her skirt. She will
dress her feet in such a simple fash
ion that even if they were seen they
are inconspicuous.
She will never wear slippers in the
street, or light-colored boots except in
carriage, and then, Of course, not
with dark-colored gown.
Tau shoes must not be worn with
visiting f.osk OF silk dinner gown,
and above all her shoes must always
be immaculately neat and as near the
latest fashion as she can afford.
The etiquette Of the ankle is very
simple, but imperative. The we'll
bred woman must never needlessly
lift her skirts. The silken fringe Of
her petticoat should just clear her in
step; then the lifting Of her dress
will be all that is necessary, even in
crossing the muddiest streets.
This rule does not hold good for the
bicycle girl, however, for custom per-
mits her to frankly reveal her ankle
as long as it is incased in the conven
tional leggings, high boots or golf
stockings, but it is not good form to
wear the bicycle skirt unusually or
unnecessarily short.
The etiquette of the leg is told in
the following paragraphs:
Women should never sit with their
legs crossed. The woman who crosses
her legs when seated in public is pos
sibly more at ease, but she renders
herself liable to unpleasant comment.
To sit decorously and gracefully is
not difficult, but it is certainly rather
an uncommon accomplishment in this
day. Good breeding demands that
she should sit with her feet placed to-
gether, or nearly SO, on the Aoor and
her body erect.
AVOID CARELESS SITTING.
Women should remember always to
avoid careless habit of sitting. For
ty years ago mothers and teachers at
tached great Importance to instructing
girls in this branch of the breeding of
a gentlewoman.
1t is hardly necessary to say to a
lady that it is ine1cusablc in mo-
ment of thoughtlessness for waman
to tuck her foot up under her, and be