The Indianapolis journal., 1899-04-23
A WANT UNTITLED.
Call for a Manual of Etiquette Suited
to the Plain People.

Wanted-Substantial, conlmon-sense eti-
quette, brought within reach and use of
the masses.
The discussion of this much-abused sub
ject is now almost limitless. Indeed, 1t is
well-nigh needless to search for more ex-
hausted topics. Being, then, susceptible of
much comment, the few remarks following
may not be superfluous, nor to the average
person seem irrational.
With all regard for the laws Of candor IL
may be stated that in four-fifths of the
bookcases in our households generally in
some extreme corner is wedged a volume
entitled Etiquette" "Decorum," How to
be Polite Good and Bad Elements of So
cial Usages," etc. And if we may be so
intensive as to take down and examine
some of these treaties. in great majority
of instances we may find them not well
thumbed"-in fact, not much the worse for
wear. In cases all the edges have not been
cut. The reason? They have not been read.
Why not? A glance over the pages, a look
at the contents; either will satisfactorily
answer this query. Further, the answer is
self-evident especially TO an observer of
the few analogies, the many contrasts be-
tween an average book of "Decorum" and
the demands of society attaining TO only a
mediocre standard 1t may be well to IL
lustrate this phase Of the discourse The
pride OF the household is, say a girl of
nineteen, or seventeen. When that book
OF etiquette made its appearance in the
house. she Immediately opened IL TO learn
there how to thaEk VIII for an especial
favor" or how to decline some ones prof
fered company from the church store
TO her home" And she failed TO find in
struction on either point But she did find
how TO appear at "a Washington reception
and at the Governors grand pail; and how
to enter a box at the Metropolitan Thea
ter. These she found, and a host of kindred
rules and regulations. But suppose this
young lady is stenographer. supporting per-
haps a widowed mother; suppose she is the
daughter Of dry goods clerk, local re-
porter, or of a man who relies for support
upon the fact that he lost limb at Shiloh
daughters OF these men do not, as . rule
appear at state functions. nor do they often
comprise box parties. The gifted disciples
OF Chestertleld have, in great measure,
neglected these heroines. l say heroines,
for whose accepts her lot (tho it be of pow
erty), conQuers her pride by being content
with her forced station in life. and Is will
ing 10 search for ard learn the proper be-
haVlor and attitude of her sex, is self
constituted heroine. The foregoing applies
in every particular to the other well.
What perplexities, what embarrassment,
what hours of mental dread and torture,
fp6oro nave .een saved can be saved, by
curate etiquette. And while correct and
easily assimilated. it must needs be applica-
BILE to the masses.
Primarily, the matter must be written by
an authority before ii can be generally in
culcated. Secondly, the matter must be
simply and interestingly discussed; all pos
sible confusion or misunderstanding must
be earnestly avoided; every detail must be
prominently cited as an essential.
Not only must social affairs of practical
length-a
be instructed as TO the proper method OF
overcoming such trifles as suddenly finding
she emerges from the postoffice and starts
up Main street: from such trihes on up 20
IN 1nat sweetest trait a young girl can possess
that dearest of all friends her mother. and
in her mothers advice.
1t should instruct young men preferably
boyS) 10 have for every young lady 5
mother If not the above regard, at the min
imum, a profound respect, for her and for
her opinions and desires.
Instead of being told how to talk and
what TO talk about when she and young
gentleman are attending the theater to-
the young lady is told that she must never
allow herself to be so situated. The ques-
tion arises: How many girls, or what per-
centage OF girls, exclusive of the metropol-
itan four hundreds, abide by this regula-
tion? The larger per cent. do not, have
not, and will never heed any sucn rule Of
etiquette Now. admitting this. why not
have books on decorum for the majority as
we'll as for the minority? Since so evident
is the uselessness of telling them do not
do it, why not as well tell them How 10
do il?
Conclusively. IL one more branch Of study
can possibly be crowded Of need be substi-
tuted) into our common and high schools,
! let the year book of the future. right I'm line
with history and literature. announce also
Complete course in etiquette for the
masses"
In all. let the tendency be not to alter so
much the simple forms OF social usage and
| eve might say necessity, but TO modify in
| structive matter that it may satisfy exist
| ing conditions. +. V. SCHMITT.
Seymour, Ind.