The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-26
IT IS DIFFERENT IN FRANCE
USAGES THAT SEEM STRANGE
IN ENGLISH EYES.
The FrennnmaD ake on His Hat and
Puts on His Gloves, Saves His Money.
Likes His MOther-in-law, Pays Taxes
Promptly and Chooses His WIFE wisely.

Likes His M~Other4n-law, Pays Taxet
Promptly and Chooses His WIFE wisely
BIT N. BETHAM-EDwARDs-
Why must John Bull and jacques Bon
homme always, and in small things as vel
as great. show a directly opposite be
havior? On the other hand, 1t may be asked
why In heavens name should they not
Why for generations nave two worthy
substantial, sober neighbors quizzed eaci
other, snarled at each other, caricatureC
each other for no better reason a thiBf
Yet it does seem supremely ridiculoui
that jacques Bonhomme in driving takei
the right side OF the road and we more en-
lightened folks take the left; that Jacques
Ponhomme should be married in q dress
coat instead OF habiting himself after the
fashion OF the sensible Britisher; that
JACQUES Bonhomme should salute male
relatives and friends on the cheek, as is the
way of Emperors and Kings, whereas an
Englishman would sink into the earth at the
hare thought OF so demeaning himself
that Jacques Bonhomme should be at the
trouble Of doffing his hat on entering a rail-
way carriage, or even a tobaooonist's shop,
whereas the proper place for q hat-does
not the House Of Commons set the examplei
lis on the head.
In nothing, indeed, do the two neighbors
RoSre completely differ thar in the uss Of
chimney pots and gloves. II Jacques Bon
homme is perpeutally barring his head he
is equally ~assiduous in covering his hands.
John Bull, IN the contrary, shows as much
reluctance to cucumber himself with gloves
Hs to be rid Of headgear. Roughly speaking
] should say that a Frenchman Of the middle
and industrial classes spends a third less
on dress than an Engiishman in the same
condition.
' But a considerable item Of the French
mans expenditure would be gloves. The
most modestly paid official is ever scrupu-
lously gloved when making a call; even
ticket collectors on the railway and on public
c~onveyances are gloved.
There is Method in all this apparent
madness. We are accustomed to regard
France as a country Of topsyturvydom,
whereas nowhere else have usages been 30
conservative.
1t was Louis XIV. who set the example
Of perpetually uncovering the head, cape
cially in the presence OF ladies', the Sun
Hing never passing a housemaid without
dofing his plumed hat. The persistent
wearing OF gloves IL also a survival OF
traditional etiquette. q relic Of time honored
ceremonial. In the case Of omnibus CON
ductors and railway collectors the habit
il based upon other grounds and might
well be introduced here, especially in hot
weather.
Usages offer the same contradictions as
daily habits. How preposterous to our
selves seems the habit Of settling quarrels
by duelI
To our neighbors the remedy of horse
whipping for insult appears sheer bru-
tally. A British paterfamilias would think
himself i'll used indeed II he were not at
liberty to cut of a ne'er dc well with a
shilling; a French father regards himself
az the steward OF his ohildren's fortunes
and is content to possess discretionary
powers over a fraction.
Again, the English nation is still Of DR..
,Iohnson's opinion that to be we'll whipped
is the making of a boy. In France the
seat Of reason is approached instead and
cor poral punishment. not only in schools
but in the army, navy and prisons. was
long since abolished by law,
Whatever his provooation, a village
schoolmaster must not lay his hands on a
scholar. Should an officer strike a soldier
The latter has a right TO r~etaliate
So sensitive are Frenchmen where per-
tplld N1Hlhly Ir COhCCIhOd tl1b olI Il 4
very narrowly escaped a scrape by stopping
a Paris tramway conductor with my UNI !
brella. An English cabby similarly poked
in the ribs would never dream Of being
thereby affronted.
But in nothing do John Bull and jacques
Bonhomme differ 30 much as in their way
Of looking at money. The phrase, to look
at. is peculiarly applicable in our neigh
boris case.
The English can hardly be said to look
at money at all, 80 quickly with us is il
turned into something else. But Jacques
Bonhomme very much prefers not turning
thing that does not possess durable and
increasing value.
The money is looked at again and again,
finally invested in land or State rentes.
English folks on finding themselves in pos
session OF increased income or an unex-
pected windfall never occur TO the average
French mind.
Alike among wage earners. professional
men and officials, moneyis looked at in
stead OF being spent, Most folks expenses
are strictly Imited>to the normal and the
necessary.
There is one class OF tradesmen in France
that French folk do not regard the business
OF moving as a luxury OF the first water
how do those whose business il Is to re-
move household goods make q living?
To occupy a house for three years and
no more seems to be the English rule, house
bunting the most desirable occupation
Of the energies In the world. jacques
Bonhomme and Madame. his spouse, think
differently. Their notion Of a home is a
dwelling not only to live and die in, but
TO bequeath to their children
A good many things considered here as
normal and necessary our n~eighbors do
not care a fig about. Now, carpets and
curtains are among these.
How many households with us are rem
dered unpeaceful. how often il John Bull
straitened In circumstances on account
81 new carpets and curtains, Mrs. Bulls
determination TO keep up appearances:
In other words, not allow herself to be out
shons by Mrs. 5HIith or fiB. 5rown? Quite
are domestic ideals over the
water.
Jacques Bonhomme's condition is limited
TO the p%atrimonial dwelling, OF course. with
= garden and tonelle or trelllced bower
under which to alt and smoke during the
holidays. He likes 10 nave his
little family always about him and 70 see as