The Washington herald., 1909-03-07


ture that may be submitted. Such qUes-
ton should be addressed TO The Arbiter.
care The Washington Herald
Such an occasion as she inauguration
furnishes a rare opportunity 10 study
human nature. 1t is said that when a
man IS intoxicated his true character
comes out II ne is cross and ugly nat
urally. and through schooling and dis
clpline has gained a fair amount of
cultivation. the veneer disappears when
he is in his cups and his real character
is seen; vice versa. a gentleman at
heart Is even more of a gentleman under
the influence OF wine. A crowd has
very much the same effect as any other
stimulant, for a crowd IS a siimulant
and it is the natural man and woman one
sees in a mass when the acquired man
ner, the society polish disappears.
This was particularly marked on. Thurs
day. day and evening. in the crowds
gathered along the Avenue TO watch
the inauguration parade. and at the fam
Gus ball Men jostled women and pushed
them aside, while women eIbowed their
way and pushed themselves into impOs-
sible places. until one was ashamed OF
ones kind; but then, a rough-looking man
would show such splendid courtesy. such
knightly manners. that the shame was
displaced by pride and pleasure
A crowd is dear 70 the heart Of Ameri-
cans There is something about il thar
appeals to their venturesome spirit. but
an American crowd is entirely unlike the
gay crowds in France and Italy, the ogod-
natured crowds in Germany, where an
older civilization and enforced military
service have taught the people how 70
behave when they are jammed together.
II should be remembered that We are
a democratic nation Every one has the
same rights in a crowd as we'll as at other
places, and It should be remembered too.
that nothing is gained by jamming. rush
ing. and pushing. except the contempt Of
the people who suffer from such rudeness.
a pleasant smile, a gentle word will fire.
quentIy turn a lot Of sulky people into
good natured ones. and accidents have Of
ten been averted by the kindness Of
some well-bred person whose pleasing
personality dominated the pushing cattle
about him.
Such an instance. in fact. took place
on one OF the side streets Thursday.
a fight was threatened because one rOwdy
had jostled another rowdy. The two were
all ready for fsticuffs when one Of the
group called out: Look here, old man;
this is not a day for fighting. This is
a time for cheering. Let's all cheer for
Taft" And with that he set up a great
hurrah. in which he was Joined by all
those about him. the wOuld-be fighters
cheering louder than the rest.
There is little to say about the etiquette
that should be observed In a crowd ex-
ef.ae tot, &c
nature. ones pOise. ones personal dignity,
and remember the rights OF others.
Everybody has probably seen how mob
can be led by one person and melted TO
do the most terrible and rebelIious acts.
The contrary OF this is true also. and IL
a person with an even temper remains
calm and unruffied 1t helps put all those
about him in the same state.
A correspondent writes TO ask II The
Arbiter does not think it strange that
in a city like Washington such a lot of
incongruous costumes should be seen at
the inaugural ball. For instance, she
says, Il saw woman in an elaborate
white satin dress, handsomely embroid-
cred with silk and crystal, who was with
man in morning coat and red neck
tie. This couple probably came from
the backwoods. but even the backwoods
does not excuse a combination of this
kind. Then I noticed quantities OF men
and women in every sort Of a dress ex-
cept with boots and spurs for riding
and dare say I could have found some
Of these II 7 had looked hard enough. &"
It does seem absurd that one should
find at a ball in a modern capital such a
variety Of costumes. but the only way
the people can be kept to a certain stand
ard is TO have the invitations follow those
that are sent out by royalty and high
officials in Europe. These Invariably state
the kind Of dress that IS expected One
Of the officers Of the fleet. for instance.
brought back an invitation which read
something as follows: THE chamberlain
Of their royal highnesses the Duke and
Duchess OF Blank have the honor to in
vite Capt - TO dinner on Wednesday.
February s. at S O'Clock. Fun court dress
without arms. Carriages will arrive at
the east and leave by the west entrance.
You viii answer Immediately"
To Americans. this invitation sounds
brusque, almost rude and vet there is no
intention Of brusqueness or rudeness. It
Is simply meant to convey as succinctly
as possible exactly what Is wanted Of the
them. 1t would be well II this form Of in
vitation could be introduced at the White
House for the various official functions
For instance, in the invitations sent to
the diplomats. If court dress is desired, II
should be so stated, and so on the invita-
tons to the officials Of the army and
navy; and it is well to note on the invita-
lions for women when full evening dress
is required. and to refuse admittance 70
all those not so garbed.
II is also an excellent custom to note
in the invitations at what entrance the
persons receiving invitations shall present
themselves. and by what stairway and
entrance they should leave the residence.
On most Of the foreign invitations this
information is printed on the card itself,
but If that would hurt the sensitive
feelings Of Americans. It could be placed
on a separate card and inclosed in the en-
velope with the Invitation.
Another correspondent writes 70 ask
about calling at the White House. This
subject has been treated so many times
by The Arbiter that 1t almost seems SUI
perfuous TO speak OF It again Yes, the
chief officials are expected to call at the
White House. the Cabinet naturally. the
judges Of the Supreme Court, Senators.
Representatives, heads Of departments,
and, Of course. officers OF the army and
navy. for the President is Commander
in-chief OF the military service.
1t is simply a matter OF loyalty. paying
ones respects to the head OF the GOV
eminent, but the call is not an onerous
official function. It merely supposes at
the first visit leaving ones card at the
family entrance with the person at the
door. Mrs. Taft has made a wise change
in this matter. and viii reserve the north
front ~ fhe White TJonsa for 4ba -.