New-York tribune., 1922-06-18
y.. Goldins, Mrs. Oidname,
M. Worldly, These Three

hing so was an accident of hate. so to
oak; one Of those situations where you fee.
,.- an idea at the start Of its approach and
-. st length 20 embrace it! Having ac-
.,,..d the publishers argument-that there Is
, ,r,at deal about etiquette that is not known
= countless numbers, and much that is
,,,zn that would be far more helpful sunk
|. ;rrorance-Mrs. Post paused to consider
q. suggestion that she write book on good
-,-rsrs. Having settled 10 the task she has
,-,rged at the end Of many months with a
vivne in which Mrs. Golding, Mrs. Oldname
81 Mrs. Worldy-all taken from life-sppear
,,-vpical figures around whom float the subtle
,ss,s Of the authors information. The in
yry.inr point is this: Aside from the orig
-s manner chosen for the presentation Of
i.rs and the equally clear statement Of what
are rot facts Of etiquette-though they may
b srepted as facts by readers Of what she
tsrs the yellow press" and the motion pic
.grs screen-the author has done more than
v, down an accumulation Of rules and details.
Her idea is that rather than being super
fssl and ornamental, a code Of good manners
esn. besides being a comfortable guide through
he. prove an attribute of strength in living.
She talks as she writes, in letters or in pub
lshei work k-characteristically clesr-clipped
sentences Ike her clear-clipped thoughts. She
IS as natural as she is simple in her mode Of
expression When it comes to choice between
the polish Of a sentence and the naturalness
Or asrity Of its expression. she would probably
ks, sa,uralness and clarity and let the polish
r. So you will find an occasional proposition
dangling at the end Of a sentence, or the most
natural ey0res sion like "He asked me 10 make
hisye. etc." which, couched in delightful
English produces an effect characteristic OF
her talk. In letter to her publishers she
wrote:
Prom what started TO be a small book on
he order Of the Worldly Godmother papers
'nce did. IT has grown into tremendous vol
lme. From a thing undertaken reluctantly
4 first. il has become a perfect obsession. /
lad not the least idea when | started was
,oinc 20 work more seriously than | almost
'rsr have before Etiquette was the least Of
r IN ldcl lle DETAILS sum 90 'NDiN '''''''-'~'
nd all that sort Of thing, are put IN the
kindergarten Chapter, where they belong. Also'
he whole matter is not a question Of society
III does not make bit Of difference whether
ne is in so-called society or not. One is a
ady or a gentleman or one isn't. Whether
ne leads a social life or a useful one (or
9th is Of secondary Importance, so far as
,sed Of essential etiquette goes. And unessen-
.ss We needn't worry about"
Specifically Mrs. Posts latest venture in
uitng. which is to be published by Funk &
Tsynalls, sets forth a code of ethics for
rryday utilitarian wear, as understood by
eH who speak the language" and who
an with the aid of generations behind
~ confirmed rs usefulness in the broad
~ quite aside from whether one belongs to
Ea-ed smart society or not. Then she has
Esdspar.mented it. In this dividing the
'sisr gets the detailed information, in rela-
70, 10 customs. occasions, dress, with count
s' minor shades and details set forth that
rssn nothing in their urwritten laws to the
Initiated and the absence Of which tells every
ing 10 the initiate.