Social Etiquette.
March 26, 1889A Society Woman’s Protest Against Late Hours for Entertaining.
Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren enters a vigorous protest against the wholesale adoption of English fashions and especially the adoption of late hours for entertaining. She does not consider it any reason for us, who enjoy so much glorious sunlight, to shut it out from our drawing rooms in the daytime, or, worse yet, to choose the most somber hours of the night for our choicest entertainments, because those unfortunates who live in a murky, foggy, rainy atmosphere may find it more agreeable to do so.
A score of years ago, according to Mrs. Dahlgren, 6 o’clock was accepted as a suitable hour by our best people, when our leading men, having need the day in active effort and to some useful purpose, were fairly ready to discuss and enjoy a good dinner. By 9 o’clock , at that time, the most elegant assemblies commenced, and our polite society was prepared to exchange the more formal dignity of the prandial feast for the increasing hilarity of the evening.
Among reasons for early hours is that by the time men and women have reached middle life, and have an account of their experience became peculiarly fitted to direct society they find it irksome if not physically dangerous to expose themselves to the strain of such late hours. As a result, society places itself, perforce, in the hands of a lot of young people who will doubtless in course of time become very capable society leaders, but who make no end of mistakes from lack of experience.
Thus our social standards become insensibly lowered.
In view of this and other considerations Mrs. Dahlgren urges that the matrons who are society leaders should return to the observance of those hours that were considered best before we were led away by this prevailing Anglomania. She says that from the expressions of sentiment heard on this subject from various ladies, whose opinions have deservedly great weight, it is to be hoped that already the tide begins to turn, and that there is a reflux in the right direction.
Another fact is also noted in this connection. The hours that the aristocracy of England observe are so peculiar to themselves that they are not adopted on the continent, where a nicer taste in the refinements of social life has hitherto been supposed to exist. It was never for a moment admitted until late years that the English had any special adaptation, natural or acquired, for the elegances of life. The Anglo-Saxon genius that certainly leads the world and molds its progress in various directions was never regarded as peculiarly fitted to regulate social etiquette or form model manners. On the contrary, the English lack the pliancy and fine tact of the French. It may be said they have no tact and therefore essentially unfit to discriminate as to the very delicate discernment required.
But we Americans have the advantage over both the French and the English, for we inherit Saxon strength and Latin versatility. What we seem most to need is the good common sense to appreciate the advantages we possess and make proper use of them.
source: The Wellsboro Agitator
location: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
