The Washington herald., 1909-05-23

answer any question Of social na-
ture that may be submitted Such
questions should be addressed 70 The
Ar5iter. care The washington Herald.
Dear Arbiter: VIII you not devote your
Eext paper TO advising the young Her
who are about 20 graduate from the
military academies regarding correct So
ciaI usages2 You could not do q kinder
act, for I tell you that there are some Of
Us who have never had on dress suit
myself. for instance; some who have
never sat down to q course dinner; some
who are absolutely ignorant as to table
manners. and a man may be "a man FOR
a that" but Uncle sam wants his on
GERS 10 hold their own socially with any
officers in the world Now, what does s
farmer from Texas or the son OF miner
from Colorado know about court Gus
tens? You win win the gratitude OF
many g cadet az West Point and many
9 midshipman at Annapolis If you VIII
only advise them what 20 wear and when
70 wear the different kinds Of dress. how
70 dispose OF formal invitations. give
some hints as TO correct table manners,
etiquette as to calling. &c.
This doubtless sounds very childish 70
you. who have been n society al your
Ife and seem, from your writings. at
least. as though you would be as much
at home IN court circles as II Washing
ton; but there is many a greenhorn
among Us who wiz never forget your
kindness, and II some Of the ''savey
ones do sneer because you have tried TO
tell them something they already know.
why don't you care.
a CADET Or 1uDSHIPMAN-IT DON'T NAT
TER WHICH
Nay 10 lse
The above letter causes one to reflect
II is true that there are many among
both the graduates Of West Point and
Annapolis who have come from farms
and provincial districts. Some OF them
had never been a days journey from
home, perhaps, until they went 20 An
napoEs OF West Point 10 take their
examinations, and some have never had
a glimpse OF the society into which g
commission IN Uncle Sans military
service VIII launch them; which is moth
ing 10 their discredit. but much 20 their
discomfort for IL IS difficult 70 teach
man the little niceties Of etiquette and
the unexplailable ways OF society after
he has reached his majority. Unhappily,
khere are many army and naval officers
who never learn. and one IS shocked now
and then by certain social omissions and
commissions by handsome and gallant
officers. for while the technical training
and discipline at Annapolis and West
Point are beyond criticism, save teaching
the young men 10 dance there IS no
attempt TO instruct them II social Ell
quette- This they must pick Up as best
hey can, through association with their
social supeTiOrs, through contact with
the outside world and close observation.
Some have e social knack and learn
easily, while others seorR the social
amenities until It IS too late 70 acquire
them. \ lad at Annapolis. for instance.
was mildly hazed by his companions for
EhOveling his food into his mouth with
knife, which he bitterly resented, saying
that his father had used his knife all
his life. and what was good enough for
his father was good enough for him.
and Il was, but ne had the privilege OF
sn5oying the custom far away from the
Naval Academy, as his classmen made
i so uncomfortable for him there that
ae was forced 10 resign
But 10 answer the questions OF my cor
Responsiveness 10 dress, Il differs, nat
urally. with the season and the environ
meRt. but there are a few general rules
that can be given. The morning COS
tune for man Is sack suit Getaways
are no longer worn, except now and
then by elderly men The tie should be
q four-in-nand. crocheted by hand Il pos
sible, Of some becoming color, and with
Il should be worn a suitable pin; that is,
e pin consistent with the wearer's axe.
position. and means. II is incongaFOus
70 see a man IN the '5gs wearing a
frIppery little pin that might with i'm
punity be worn by a freshman at col
iege- AS 10 the color OF the tie II one
Is not gifted with good taste, he shouIo
limit his choice 10 a few shades. There
is dark blue, for instance, that is be
coming 10 almost every one; a deep red
that can be worn with any complexion.
and hunters green viii so with almost
any color and is rarely UnbecOming-
In summer, OF course both in town
and at the seashOre. fianneIs are worn IL
the morning and generally all DAY, for
place in torrid heat Outside OF flannel.
The most popular materials for sack suits
are cheviot, tweed, and hOmespun. The
loosely woven varieties OF the latter are
the best for summer and cooler even
than flannel Those who 20 10 for the
sports. who hunt ard fish and ride send
10 Austria for a sort Of closely woven
brown flannel that Is called loden- Il Is
almost Ike homespun. except that It IS
more closely woven and is practically
indestructible.
a Derby is no longer the only correct
hesdgear for the morning. Its reign Is
dssputed by many other shapes and
styles, the most popular OF which is a
modified Alpine hat green in color. very
much Ike the hats worn by the tageFs
in the Tyrol and IN Switzerland. They
are distinctive Interesting, and, as a rule,
becoming, and their adoption is a pleasant
innovation. Straw mats are, Of course.
much worn IN summer, although the light
felt Asts-are much Erore becoming and
picturesque and quite as cool
The sack suit is worn for eli morning
functions. such as breakfast luncheon.
OF 1eCiIals. which are q popular form or
entertainment al the summer resorts, and
IT the latter places they ara worn through
ths afternoon, except at some OF the
very fashionable places Like Newport and
Beverly, where some Of the old-fashioned
people still insist on the long-tailed coat
for calling and for afternoon receptions.
Il Is hardly needful 70 discuss the prop
er attire for the city during the heated
term, for the towns are generally deserted
BY the fash0nables and the entertain
ing Is OF the most informal character
but In winter the frock Is d rigeur for all
affairs that take place after 4 o'clock II
the afternoon. The coat should be black.
OF black busted with white.
EXTREMIST in style affect colored frock
coats and the past winter & gorgeous pur-
pie frOck coat was worn by one OF the
young dandies about town, but & viii be
g long time before this innovation VIII