Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-06
SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL
MANNERS VOGUE AGAIN
Londoners Returning to the Early
Victorian Age of Drawing
Room Conduct

LONDON, Ape. 5.-Young men in
tending to propose should do so on
their knees-if they wish to follow
fashions dictates.
They should, also, when meeting wo-
men in the drawing room, lightly kiss
their hands and perform other cour-
tesies of the early Victorian period.
Such is the new style of manners
which is becoming fashionable again
in England or, at least, in London
society, after lapse of sixty or seven
ty years.
One of the most beautiful women in
London, and well known in the social
world, has just confessed that her
fiance proposed to her on his knees.
1.-THE act was so gracefully done that
I could not refuse him." she told a
friend. "Other girl friends of mine
have told me of similar experiences.
What can possibly have influenced the
young man of the present day to act
in such a manner? Brusque, unconven-
tional almost rude manners nave
hitherto distinguished him. These
gentle courtesies and old-fashioned
graces make a woman's life doubly
happy. l hope every man will follow
the example of my fiance and other
wise improve his manners.
"I have noticed similar signs of i'm
provement among other young men in
what one might call school for Sean
dali manners. In that play the gal
lantry of the men toward the women is
an object lesson to all. A man who
proposes on his knees-a form of pro-
posal which is stated to be reviving-
is doing the natural thing. He is ask
ing a great favor of the lady-a favor
so great that it unconsciOusly takes
the form of a prayer.
81 have often heard it remarked that
stage proposals-where a man falls on
his knees before the woman he loves
are not true to life. But more men
propose on their knees nowadays than
neonle dream of. The casual, off-hand
proposals, which are stated to be com
mon. are dying out. And LondonerS
SO badly need a return of fine man
ners! 1t is not merely the fault OF the
men. Women, by competing with men
and standing up for their rights are
liable to lose their privileges and
sanctity as women"
Princess Bariatinsky, the Russian
actress, who is on visit to London
says she finds Englishmen lnVarlaply
courteous and charming.
ON Russia it is quite the rule Tor 2
young man to propose on his knees
she said; "also to kiss the hands OF
ladies of his acquaintance. Such Gus
toms are a pretty reminder of days OF
chivalry and 1 am pleased to hear Eng
lishmen are reviving them"
DR.. Emile Reich's opinion IS very
different.
"Women who want men to slave, he
said. sin order to keep them. in luxury
and take no interest in their husbands
affairs are simply parasites. women
in England are bad enough as IL Is,
through false notions of their duties
and privileges. In all classes they
seek only more pleasures and regard
marriage only as a means of getting
them. In France and Germany women
are brought up to devote themselves
to husband and children, whatever
their position in life. In America and
in England they think only of pleasure,
and a man is measured by his ability
to provide them with luxuries. Get
married is my advice to all young
women, and if you get the right sort
of man. as he certainly gives as much
as he gets, he need not go on his knees
to you to implore you to be his WIFE,