The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-25
ANNA GOULD ON SOCIETY
Countess Castellane Compares Paris
and New York.
She Considers That In Matters of Eth
uuet.. .as French Arc superior,
antics Have Their Good Points
Other Traits Good aud Had.

Anna Gould. Countess Castellane. conf
pairing society CT France and the United
States. says. according TO an interview
published in the Chicago Tribune"
Away from America. during my Ave
years in Paris. which did / do-underes-
innate my native land or idealize liz Both.
II find that it has good points which
did not realize. find have faults which
did not know.
II will begin with the faults. because
enumerating its virtues will he pleasure.
and. like child with its sweetmea.s. I
would like to save the best for the last.
ITO be frank. then. in matters Of Ell
quette the people of my adopted country
seem to me far ahead Of those in America.
'In little things. which. after ALL rs in
the question of dress, are the big taings.
the Americans are neglsctful or ignorant.
Five years abroad in the aristocratic.
faubourgs have made me eognizant Of de-
tails which, when I was Anna Could,
should probably never have soticed
with what do find fault? All. remem-
Der. the praise will come later. First, then,
to attach the blame.
For instance. let us imagine scene in
one of the most exclusive drawing rooms
of this beautiful city. Follow me through
the front door. where we have presented
our cards to butler perfectly trained, adj
mirably uniformed The house, so far as
we are permitted a glimpse OF It. is charm
ingly furnished Everything is. if may
so express it, is as it should be. By the
lights in the drawing room. which are told
to perfection. with draperies at the win
dows or shades on the lamps. one dtstiu-
gushes a group OF women, beautiful, well
dressed.
well. imagine I have entered. an
nourced by the butler. The hostess arises
and greets me- BY the custom which pre-
walls in America she introduces me.
What? 1 am astounded. Not that she
introduces me. remember have been CORN
and brought up in America. but that no one
rises. No. they sit perfectly still and bow.
I'm France would they do that? Never
When the hostess rises they all rise.
mo one Is ever introduced there until
she requests IL. Without being Introduced
everyone speaks, taking it for granted
that to be guests at the same house IS SUI
ficient guarantee of ones social standing
But an introduction in France. Nc mat
ter how informal may be the gathering. Is
a signal to rise OF course. / am speaking
now entirely of a gathering OF women. Il
know none who would remain seated and
bow to another.
Then let US pass on to the moment or
departure Imagine have said goodbye 70
the hostess The others all remain seated
while I disappear All, what bad taste
Pardon me. so it seems to me, who has be-
come accustomed to seeing everyone rise
rs pass out OF the room.
Here it is no uncommon thing 10 see
woman stretch out her hand to a friend aud
remain in her chair while she does so. She
will greet her cordially and yet not take
the trouble to rise.
ssI have seen here as gorgeous Jewels.
as magnificent costumes. as ever one could
see in Paris. OF the former | must say
have seen more Here the women seem to
wear their Jewels as IL to say: Can one
have too much of a good thing by all
the Partisan laws of good taste-yes.
There to have jewels is one thing. and
IN know how and when to wear them IS an
ether Too many is far. far worse crime
than too few or even none. The temptation
that a safe full of gems would hold forth
would not for moment Je regarded as an
excuse Discretion, there IS marx OF
breeding. To be ablaze with jewels-a
phrase which is customary here. would
ment.
"a lady in Paris wears single periect
ornament. a tiara. a sunburst. or n price,
less necklace. By her taste she proclalms
her pedigree.
THE women in New York are charming.
well dressed But in Paris they study how
to walk. how to stand. how TO sit, even,
may say. how to eat.
Are Frenchmen more attractive tnan
American men? All. | married French
man. and 1 had met innumerable Ameri-
cans!
The American Is more earnest
THE Frenchman is more witty.
The American is probably more capa-
bic in a business sense.
The Frenchman is better read do not
think he has better manners. | 10 not
think he dresses better. He has more
taste. Always. whether in the conduct OF
his house or the furnishing OF 1t, he mas
more taste.
He shows ii in everything he does, in
everything he permits his wife to do.
Frerchwoman wears little jewelry, De-
cause her husband desires it. She wears
appropriate gowns because her husband de-
sires it,