OLD-FASHIONED POLISH 135 



of themselves. Women are glad, no doubt, of some eman- 

 cipation, but does she whom we love and admire as the 

 real woman of to-day want to be left to her own resources 

 any more than did her grandmother? Has she tired of 

 the willing ministration of the other sex ? We have by 

 no means lost our heart courtesies, but whither has the 

 old-fashioned polish taken its flight? We are indebted 

 for much to the Old Country ; do not let us borrow too 

 largely. Despite our ante helium accusation that the 

 South affiliated with the British aristocracy, the Southron 

 has retained his gallantry to women, as we of the Eastern 

 States, to our serious detriment, have not. The best rule 

 in equitation, as in other arts, is first the useful, then the 

 ornamental ; but, having the useful, by no means let the 

 ornamental elude you, unless the twain be incompatible. 



Our artist has drawn the typical rider on the Paseo de 

 la Reforma, the Rotten Row or Harlem Lane of the City 

 of Mexico. It is to be regretted that telegraph and rail- 

 road are spoiling national types. Whatever country is 

 invaded by news and cheap clothing loses first its na- 

 tional costume and then its national characteristics. Can 

 you remember how things looked forty years ago on the 

 Continent of Europe? You could tell an Englishman, a 

 Frenchman, a German, an American as far as you could see 

 him. Not so to-day. The travelled man is cast in about 

 the same mould, and unless the type is pronounced, all na- 

 tions look more or less alike. The rubbing up against one 

 another of the various nations robs each of the piquancy 

 it used to possess. Italy to-day is no longer the Italy you 

 once posted through in your own carriage ; and Mexico 

 is going the same road. In another decade there will 

 scarcely be a sombrero left. But one still sees an occa- 

 sional swell who clings to his national costume, and a fine 

 bird he is, too, afoot or a-horseback. 



